In a special edition of Inside Out London, Tarah Welsh investigated the shocking truth behind an anti-epilepsy drug which has harmed thousands of children. She uncovers new medical evidence suggesting that birth defects caused by the drug could be passed down through generations of the same family.
Fetal Anti Convulsant syndrome is an Umbrella Term for a host of different Epilepsy medications taken during pregnancy that have had an affect on the baby in Utero. The following medications are medically known to be Teratogenic during pregnancy
Sodium Valproate (1973)
Phenytoin (1938)
Carbamazepine (1963)
Lamotrigine (1991)
Topiramate (1995)
Levetiracetem (2000)
Epilepsy medicines are prescribed for a variety of conditions :
Epilepsy
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Pain Relief
Migraine,
Headaches
Trigeminal Neuralgia
FACS is thought to arise because some of the medications taken to treat all of the above pass through the placenta and into the developing foetus. If a child is diagnosed with FACS they are more likely to be diagnosed with
If you feel your child may have FACS you must speak to your GP about your concerns and request to be referred to a Paeditrician or Clinical Geneticist. Not every child who is exposed to these medicines will have FACS. NEVER stop taking your Anticonvulsant medication without medical advice as this could pose a serious risk to you and if pregnant your child