THE European Medicines Agency commissioned a new study which suggests there may be an increased risk of neuro-developmental disorders in children fathered by men on valproate medication in the three months prior to conception, compared with men on other anti-seizure medicines.
In the study, around five children in 100 born to fathers treated with valproate around the time of conception were diagnosed with a neuro-developmental disorder.
This was compared to three in 100 children whose fathers took other antiseizure meds lamotrigine or levetiracetam around conception.
The risk was much smaller than the risk associated with valproate in pregnancy.
The study results have been received and are being rigorously analysed, stated the Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, and independent expert advice will be sought on valproate from the Commission on Human Medicines.
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