Foetal Anticonvulsant Syndrome: Implications on Dento-facial Development in General Dental Practice.

Epilepsy affects around 1% of the population and approximately 1 in 250 pregnancies are exposed to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder to occur in this group. Exposure to these drugs can result in teratogenic effects, referred to as foetal anticonvulsant syndrome (FACS). The older generation anticonvulsants, such as phenytoin, valproate and carbamazepine, have been shown to be teratogenic and it is hoped that the ‘newer’ drugs (eg gabapentin and lamotrigine) will be different. We present two siblings born to an epileptic mother and the literature is reviewed.