Valproate and Autism Risk

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that children are born with. Over the last 25 years, the prevalence rate of autism has been increasing steadily.

It’s believed that part of the reason for the dramatic increase in autism diagnoses is due to the fact that advanced research has led to better education, knowledge and diagnostic tools, which in turn has led to more accurate diagnoses of ASD.

While that certainly might be the case, there are other potential reasons for why autism could be on the rise in the U.S. and around the world. One potential link for an increased risk of developing autism could be medications that women take during pregnancy.

Some studies have shown, for instance, that using antiepileptic drugs such as valproate could increase the risk for autism. Below, we’ll take a more in-depth look at this topic and what research has shown.

Learn more about maternal health and autism risks

Table Of Contents

What is Valproate?

Valproate is a prescription medication that is used to treat a number of different issues and disorders. It is sold under the brand names Depakote, Dyzantil, Syonell, Belvo and Convulex, and is not available as an over-the-counter medication.

Valproic acid, as it’s also known, is most commonly used for people who have bipolar disorder. Some of the brand names are used to treat other disorders such as epilepsy and migraine prevention.

While these disorders and issues that women suffer from are serious, there are warnings about taking the medication during pregnancy.

It’s generally considered that valproate can cause issues for the development of a baby such as lifelong difficulties with learning and other birth defects. That’s why it’s highly suggested that women not take valproate if they’re pregnant or if they believe they might become pregnant.

Women who need to take the medication and want to get pregnant, or are pregnant, are always suggested to confer with their medical team about what other alternatives are possible.

What Links Between Valproate and Autism Risk Have Been Identified?

A study published in the journal JAMA in 2015 found that pregnant women who took valproate during their pregnancy had a significantly increased risk of having children who had autism.

The study found that exposure to the drug was associated with increased risk for both delayed development of cognition in babies as well as congenital malformations.

Another study published in the same journal in 2022 found that children who were exposed to valproate in utero were anywhere from 2.4 to 5 times more likely to develop ASD than those who weren’t. Even exposure to the drug in just the second and third trimester, and not the first, had an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.

A separate study published in 2020 in the Neurology Journals concluded that valproate could increase the autism risk by as much as 10%.

While the results of these studies from a percentage standpoint vary greatly, they do all show a definitive link between valproate and autism risk. While more studies are certainly needed, the ones that have been completed thus far — plus the warnings and recommendations from the pharmaceutical companies that produce the medication — are enough to say that it’s not a good idea for women to take it while pregnant.

What are the Other Risk Factors for Autism?

In addition to valproate, some links have been found between taking other medications before and during pregnancy and an increased risk of offspring developing autism.

Research has also shown that there are possible genetic links. Children who are born to parents who themselves have autism, for example, are at a higher risk of developing ASD.

Other pregnancy-related health factors include maternal obesity and diabetes, both of which have been shown to increase the likelihood that children could develop ASD.

Environmental factors have also been identified, such as the exposure to certain pollutants and pesticides during pregnancy and in the first few years of life, as well as advanced parental age.

Trust Blue Gems ABA to Help Support Your Child on the Autism Spectrum

There is no one single cause of autism, which can be very confusing and frustrating for parents, family members and the professional community at large. That being said, some definitive links have been discovered between certain factors and an increased risk of developing autism.

One of those is taking valproate during pregnancy or even leading up to pregnancy. This is why it’s always recommended that women not take valproate if they are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant.

Sometimes, though, children develop ASD even if you do everything you’re “supposed” to do before, during and after pregnancy. Luckily, there are many great treatment options available to help your child on the autism spectrum grow.

At Blue Gems ABA, we are dedicated to just that. Our team of experienced BCBAs do this by administering applied behavioral analysis, a science- and evidence-based approach to learning and behavior that helps children with autism build the social, communication and daily life skills with which they often struggle.

ABA therapy, as it’s also known, is administered on a one-to-one basis. All treatment plans are personalized to each individual child’s unique strengths and challenges and adjusted over time based upon their progress toward stated goals. This, in turn, helps them achieve better outcomes over time.

To learn more, please contact us today.