The use of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of birth-defects in the offspring. However, for most women with epilepsy it is advisable to continue to take antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy since uncontrolled seizures may be hazardous to the foetus as well as to the pregnant women. In the vast majority of such cases, the outcome is uneventful. There are now many antiepileptic drugs to choose from but it is presently unclear if some of these drugs are more safe to use during pregnancy than others. A number of European research groups have therefore agreed on a common protocol for a prospective assessment of pregnancy outcome after prenatal exposure to antiepileptic drugs and to establish a registry of antiepileptic drugs and pregnancy.
 

The aim of this registry is to obtain information on the risks associated with the use of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy. The primary objective is to evaluate and determine the comparative degree of safety of the different drugs in the human foetus, in order to identify the most safe drugs and to determine how antiepileptic drugs should be used and dosed to minimise risks.

Half-yearly progress reports will be prepared and released by the Central Project Commission of EURAP. These will be presented in a way that protects against identification of individual mothers or children.