Birth Defects
Billede genereret af AI
Study warns that global use of valproate in pregnancy risk zones remains high
Rapporteret af AI Billede genereret af AI Faktatjekket
An international study across 73 countries finds that access to antiseizure medicines is improving, especially in low- and middle-income nations, but warns that valproate — a World Health Organization-listed essential medicine linked to serious birth defects when used in pregnancy — remains widely used. Researchers led by Aston University report uneven progress in safe prescribing between 2012 and 2022 and call for stronger safeguards for women of childbearing age.