Valproate (Epilepsy) updated on 04-22-2025

Major congenital malformations

R analysis
id Study   Lib. in paper Exposition period    Study type  Control type 
 
Tags OR 95%CI x1/n1 x0/n0 no cases no exposed ROB Ref.
S18094
R76157
Hao (Controls exposed to LTG), 2025 Major congenital malformation (MCM) 1st trimester prospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No 1.06 [0.17;6.56] C
excluded (control group)
2/53   3/84 5 53
ref
S18095
R76159
Hao (Controls unexposed, sick), 2025 Major congenital malformation (MCM) 1st trimester prospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 0.86 [0.21;3.42] 2/53   10/261 12 53
ref
S16716
R70309
Battino, 2024 Major congenital malformations (MCMs) early pregnancy prospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick Adjustment: No 3.46 [2.69;4.46] C 153/1,549   110/3,584 263 1,549
ref
S18047
R76015
Vajda b (Valproate) (Epilepsy) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2024 Fetal malformations early pregnancy prospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No 3.97 [2.27;6.96] C
excluded (control group)
40/268   20/473 60 268
ref
S18048
R76017
Vajda b (Valproate) (Epilepsy) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2024 Fetal malformations at least 1st trimester prospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 4.50 [2.06;9.81] 40/268   7/201 47 268
ref
S17504
R73554
Wiggs, 2024 Major birth defects early pregnancy population based cohort retrospective unexposed, sick Adjustment: Yes 2.70 [1.88;3.89] -/624   -/12,666 - 624
ref
S15858
R65272
Li (Valproate) (Controls exposed to LTG), 2023 Major congenital malformation during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) prospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No 6.58 [0.30;142.47] C
excluded (control group)
2/31   0/38 2 31
ref
S15859
R65274
Li (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Major congenital malformation during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) excluded prospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 2.42 [0.48;12.22] C
excluded (exposition period)
2/31   7/253 9 31
ref
S12690
R47926
Alsfouk (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2021 Major congenital malformation during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) retrospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No 0.22 [0.01;5.02] C
excluded (control group)
0/12   2/15 2 12
ref
S12692
R47928
Alsfouk (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 Major congenital malformation during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) excluded retrospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 0.83 [0.03;21.80] C
excluded (exposition period)
0/12   1/30 1 12
ref
S12881
R48680
Hosny (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2021 Major birth defects 1st trimester prospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No 0.07 [0.00;8.55] C
excluded (control group)
0/8   0/1 0 8
ref
S12880
R48677
Hosny (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 Major birth defects 1st trimester prospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 0.87 [0.03;23.72] C 0/8   1/21 1 8
ref
S12860
R48516
Thomas (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2021 Major congenital malformations 1st trimester prospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No 4.21 [0.56;31.72] C
excluded (control group)
27/341   1/50 28 341
ref
S7558
R22596
Thomas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2021 Major congenital malformations 1st trimester prospective cohort unexposed, disease free excluded Adjustment: No 2.60 [1.30;5.20]
excluded (control group)
24/268   11/319 35 268
ref
S12861
R48526
Thomas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 Major congenital malformations 1st trimester prospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: Yes 1.71 [0.90;3.20] 27/341   16/340 43 341
ref
S16702
R70278
Alsaadi (Controls exposed to LTG), 2020 Major congenital malformations 1st trimester retrospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No 2.80 [0.12;63.59] C
excluded (control group)
2/23   0/12 2 23
ref
S16703
R70282
Alsaadi (Controls unexposed sick), 2020 Major congenital malformations 1st trimester retrospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 3.33 [0.28;39.04] C 2/23   1/36 3 23
ref
S8006
R24380
AlSheikh (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2020 Fetal/neonatal malformation during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) prospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No 39.00 [0.31;4841.77] C
excluded (control group)
0/1   0/20 0 1
ref
S8007
R24382
AlSheikh (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2020 Fetal/neonatal malformation during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) excluded prospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 4.33 [0.06;320.42] C
excluded (exposition period)
0/1   1/8 1 1
ref
S16696
R70255
Zhang (Valproate), 2020 Major congenital malformations (MCMs) 1st trimester retrospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 6.96 [1.16;41.91] C 2/14   4/171 6 14
ref
S16724
R70325
Guveli, 2017 Major malformations during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) excluded retrospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 2.59 [0.25;26.46] C
excluded (exposition period)
3/32   1/26 4 32
ref
S9995
R35917
Petersen (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2017 Major congenital malformation 1st trimester retrospective cohort (claims database) exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No 2.53 [1.01;6.36] C
excluded (control group)
10/157   9/344 19 157
ref
S9993
R35915
Petersen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed NOS), 2017 Major congenital malformation 1st trimester retrospective cohort (claims database) unexposed (general population or NOS) excluded Adjustment: Yes 1.94 [1.05;3.61]
excluded (control group)
10/176   5,315/239,151 5,325 176
ref
S9994
R35916
Petersen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2017 Major congenital malformation 1st trimester retrospective cohort (claims database) unexposed, sick Adjustment: Yes 2.14 [1.11;4.13] 10/157   86/2,844 96 157
ref
S6255
R16665
Arkilo (Valproate), 2015 Major malformations during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) excluded retrospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick Adjustment: No 15.67 [0.22;1102.00] C
excluded (exposition period)
0/2   0/24 0 2
ref
S6962
R19695
Vanya (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2015 Major congenital malformations throughout pregnancy retrospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No 5.21 [0.23;116.22] C
excluded (control group)
4/14   0/6 4 14
ref
S5527
R19688
Vanya (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2015 Major congenital malformations throughout pregnancy retrospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 18.47 [0.90;379.67] C 4/14   0/20 4 14
ref
S307
R16401
Babic (Valproate), 2014 Major congential malformations during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) excluded prospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick Adjustment: No 1.67 [0.03;99.62] C
excluded (exposition period)
0/5   0/8 0 5
ref
S318
R25944
Campbell (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2014 Major malformations 1st trimester prospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No 3.00 [2.10;4.00]
excluded (control group)
82/1,220   49/2,098 131 1,220
ref
S8232
R25956
Campbell (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014 Major malformations 1st trimester prospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 2.93 [1.62;5.30] 82/1,220   13/541 95 1,220
ref
S6317
R17139
Veiby (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2014 Major malformations throughout pregnancy population based cohort retrospective exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No 1.81 [0.97;3.38] C
excluded (control group)
19/279   23/593 42 279
ref
S6313
R17135
Veiby (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2014 Major malformations throughout pregnancy population based cohort retrospective unexposed, disease free excluded Adjustment: Yes 2.71 [1.70;4.32]
excluded (control group)
19/279   22,371/771,412 22,390 279
ref
S6314
R17136
Veiby (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014 Major malformations throughout pregnancy population based cohort retrospective unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 2.53 [1.53;4.19] C 19/279   106/3,773 125 279
ref
S6525
R17979
Cassina (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2013 Major congenital anomalies 1st trimester prospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No 3.80 [0.19;76.79] C
excluded (control group)
3/45   0/23 3 45
ref
S330
R17943
Cassina (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2013 Major congenital anomalies 1st trimester prospective cohort unexposed, disease free Adjustment: No 2.22 [0.65;7.66] C 3/45   25/803 28 45
ref
S5940
R15202
Hernández-Díaz (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2012 Major congenital malformations 1st trimester prospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No Controls: mixed indications 4.20 [2.10;8.30]
excluded (control group)
-/-   -/- - -
ref
S7935
R24011
Hernández-Díaz (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2012 Major congenital malformations 1st trimester prospective cohort unexposed, disease free Adjustment: No 9.00 [3.40;23.30] 30/323   5/442 35 323
ref
S6505
R17916
Bànhidy (Valproate), 2011 Total congenital abnormalities throughout pregnancy case control unexposed, sick Adjustment: No Matched 1.17 [0.28;4.84] C 7/12   12/22 19 12
ref
S8138
R24994
Charlton (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2011 Major congenital malformations 1st trimester retrospective cohort (claims database) exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No 1.63 [0.44;5.97] C
excluded (control group)
11/225   3/98 14 225
ref
S8136
R24988
Charlton (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2011 Major congenital malformations 1st trimester retrospective cohort (claims database) unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 2.00 [0.99;4.07] 11/225   22/902 33 225
ref
S9848
R35348
Mawer (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2010 Major malformations 1st trimester prospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No 2.23 [0.43;11.74] C
excluded (control group)
6/53   2/37 8 53
ref
S9849
R35354
Mawer (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2010 Major malformations 1st trimester prospective cohort unexposed, disease free excluded Adjustment: No Matched 5.94 [1.84;19.19]
excluded (control group)
6/53   6/285 12 53
ref
S9850
R35360
Mawer (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2010 Major malformations 1st trimester prospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 5.11 [0.59;44.22] C 6/53   1/41 7 53
ref
S371
R18040
Kini (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2006 Major malformations during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) excluded retrospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 4.04 [1.19;13.74]
excluded (exposition period)
9/63   4/101 13 63
ref
S6432
R17663
Meador (Valproate), 2006 Congenital malformations during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) excluded prospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick Adjustment: Yes 22.82 [4.25;424.20]
excluded (exposition period)
12/69   1/98 13 69
ref
S6168
R16229
Viinikainen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick) a, 2006 Major malformations throughout pregnancy prospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 5.83 [0.23;148.09] C 1/28   0/52 1 28
ref
S6137
R16031
Kaaja (Valproate), 2003 Major malformation 1st trimester prospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 8.32 [1.49;46.53] C 4/61   2/239 6 61
ref
S6679
R18497
Dean (Valproate), 2002 Major congenital malformations at least 1st trimester retrospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 2.14 [0.39;11.72] C 5/47   2/38 7 47
ref
S6929
R19482
Hvas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2000 Major congenital malformations 1st trimester retrospective cohort unexposed, disease free excluded Adjustment: No 16.82 [3.67;77.12] C
excluded (control group)
2/12   280/23,827 282 12
ref
S6925
R19478
Hvas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2000 Major congenital malformations 1st trimester retrospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 55.53 [2.48;1242.66] C 2/12   0/106 2 12
ref
S6510
R26573
Canger (Valproate), 1999 Severe malformations 1st trimester prospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 8.49 [0.46;157.67] C 6/44   0/25 6 44
ref
S6718
R18991
Samrén (Valproate), 1999 Major congential abnormalities at least 1st trimester retrospective cohort unexposed, disease free Adjustment: No Matched 4.10 [1.90;8.80] 9/158   29/2,000 38 158
ref
S6707
R18979
Steegers-Theunissen (Valproate), 1994 Major malformations (ICD9 British Paediatric Association System) during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) excluded prospective cohort unexposed, disease free Adjustment: No 9.75 [1.51;62.95] C
excluded (exposition period)
3/19   2/106 5 19
ref
S5495
R16634
Jäger-Roman (Valproate), 1986 Major malformations at least 1st trimester prospective cohort unexposed (general population or NOS) Adjustment: No 6.23 [1.55;24.98] C 4/14   7/116 11 14
ref
S6163
R16214
Robert (Valproate), 1986 Major malformations 1st trimester retrospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No 13.80 [0.62;307.74] C 2/15   0/35 2 15
ref
Total 25 studies 3.00 [2.46;3.66] 890 5,587
x1: number of endpoints among exposed, n1: number of exposed; x0: number of endpoints among non exposed, n0: number of non exposed; C: calculated odds ratio from numbers of events and effectives

Forest plot

StudyTE95% CIn casesn exposedweightROBABCDEF Hao (Controls unexposed, sick), 2025Hao, 2025 1 0.86[0.21; 3.42]12532%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: moderateROB classification: moderateROB missing: lowROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Battino, 2024Battino, 2024 3.46[2.69; 4.46]2631,54919%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: moderateROB classification: moderateROB missing: moderateROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Vajda b (Valproate) (Epilepsy) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2024Vajda b, 2024 2 4.50[2.06; 9.81]472685%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: moderateROB classification: moderateROB missing: moderateROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Wiggs, 2024Wiggs, 2024 2.70[1.88; 3.89]-62414%ROB confusion: seriousROB selection: moderateROB classification: moderateROB missing: lowROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Hosny (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021Hosny, 2021 3 0.87[0.03; 23.72]180%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: moderateROB classification: unclearROB missing: lowROB mesure: unclearROB reporting: moderate Thomas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021Thomas, 2021 4 1.71[0.90; 3.20]433417%ROB confusion: seriousROB selection: moderateROB classification: moderateROB missing: unclearROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Alsaadi (Controls unexposed sick), 2020Alsaadi, 2020 5 3.33[0.28; 39.04]3231%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: unclearROB classification: criticalROB missing: lowROB mesure: criticalROB reporting: moderate Zhang (Valproate), 2020Zhang, 2020 6 6.96[1.16; 41.91]6141%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: unclearROB classification: criticalROB missing: lowROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Petersen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2017Petersen, 2017 7 2.14[1.11; 4.13]961577%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: moderateROB classification: moderateROB missing: unclearROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Vanya (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2015Vanya, 2015 8 18.47[0.90; 379.67]4140%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: criticalROB classification: unclearROB missing: unclearROB mesure: unclearROB reporting: moderate Campbell (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014Campbell, 2014 9 2.93[1.62; 5.30]951,2208%ROB confusion: unclearROB selection: lowROB classification: moderateROB missing: unclearROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Veiby (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014Veiby, 2014 10 2.53[1.53; 4.19]12527910%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: moderateROB classification: moderateROB missing: moderateROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Cassina (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2013Cassina, 2013 11 2.22[0.65; 7.66]28452%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: moderateROB classification: moderateROB missing: unclearROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Hernández-Díaz (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2012Hernández-Díaz, 2012 12 9.00[3.40; 23.30]353234%ROB confusion: moderateROB selection: lowROB classification: moderateROB missing: moderateROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Bànhidy (Valproate), 2011Bànhidy, 2011 13 1.17[0.28; 4.84]19122%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: criticalROB classification: lowROB missing: lowROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Charlton (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2011Charlton, 2011 14 2.00[0.99; 4.07]332256%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: moderateROB classification: criticalROB missing: unclearROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Mawer (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2010Mawer, 2010 15 5.11[0.59; 44.22]7531%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: moderateROB classification: lowROB missing: moderateROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Viinikainen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick) a, 2006Viinikainen, 2006 16 5.83[0.23; 148.09]1280%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: moderateROB classification: moderateROB missing: unclearROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Kaaja (Valproate), 2003Kaaja, 2003 17 8.32[1.49; 46.53]6611%ROB confusion: NAROB selection: NAROB classification: NAROB missing: NAROB mesure: NAROB reporting: NA Dean (Valproate), 2002Dean, 2002 18 2.14[0.39; 11.72]7471%ROB confusion: NAROB selection: NAROB classification: NAROB missing: NAROB mesure: NAROB reporting: NA Hvas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2000Hvas, 2000 19 55.53[2.48; 1242.66]2120%ROB confusion: NAROB selection: NAROB classification: NAROB missing: NAROB mesure: NAROB reporting: NA Canger (Valproate), 1999Canger, 1999 20 8.49[0.46; 157.67]6440%ROB confusion: NAROB selection: NAROB classification: NAROB missing: NAROB mesure: NAROB reporting: NA Samrén (Valproate), 1999Samrén, 1999 21 4.10[1.90; 8.80]381585%ROB confusion: NAROB selection: NAROB classification: NAROB missing: NAROB mesure: NAROB reporting: NA Jäger-Roman (Valproate), 1986Jäger-Roman, 1986 22 6.23[1.55; 24.98]11142%ROB confusion: NAROB selection: NAROB classification: NAROB missing: NAROB mesure: NAROB reporting: NA Robert (Valproate), 1986Robert, 1986 23 13.80[0.62; 307.74]2150%ROB confusion: NAROB selection: NAROB classification: NAROB missing: NAROB mesure: NAROB reporting: NA Total (25 studies) I2 = 19% 3.00[2.46; 3.66]8905,5870.2500.01.0ROB: A: confusion, B: selection, C: classification, D: missing, E: measurement, F: reportinglow,moderate,serious,critical,unclear,

1: Controls unexposed, sick; 2: Valproate) (Epilepsy) (Controls unexposed, sick; 3: Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick; 4: Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick; 5: Controls unexposed sick; 6: Valproate; 7: Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick; 8: Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick; 9: Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick; 10: Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick; 11: Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free; 12: Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free; 13: Valproate; 14: Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick; 15: Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick; 16: Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick) ; 17: Valproate; 18: Valproate; 19: Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick; 20: Valproate; 21: Valproate; 22: Valproate; 23: Valproate;

Sensitivity analysis

SubsetTE95% CIn casesn exposedkI2 Type of studies cohort studiescohort studies 3.05[2.51; 3.71]8715,57517%NAHao (Controls unexposed, sick), 2025 Battino, 2024 Vajda b (Valproate) (Epilepsy) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2024 Wiggs, 2024 Hosny (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 Thomas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 Alsaadi (Controls unexposed sick), 2020 Zhang (Valproate), 2020 Petersen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2017 Vanya (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2015 Campbell (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014 Veiby (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014 Cassina (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2013 Hernández-Díaz (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2012 Charlton (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2011 Mawer (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2010 Viinikainen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick) a, 2006 Kaaja (Valproate), 2003 Dean (Valproate), 2002 Hvas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2000 Canger (Valproate), 1999 Samrén (Valproate), 1999 Jäger-Roman (Valproate), 1986 Robert (Valproate), 1986 24 case control studiescase control studies 1.17[0.28; 4.84]1912 -NABànhidy (Valproate), 2011 1 Type of controls unexposed (disease free or unspecified)unexposed (disease free or unspecified) 4.85[2.81; 8.38]11254012%NACassina (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2013 Hernández-Díaz (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2012 Samrén (Valproate), 1999 Jäger-Roman (Valproate), 1986 4 unexposed, sickunexposed, sick 2.61[2.13; 3.20]5153,4982%NAHao (Controls unexposed, sick), 2025 Vajda b (Valproate) (Epilepsy) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2024 Wiggs, 2024 Hosny (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 Thomas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 Alsaadi (Controls unexposed sick), 2020 Zhang (Valproate), 2020 Petersen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2017 Vanya (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2015 Campbell (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014 Veiby (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014 Bànhidy (Valproate), 2011 Charlton (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2011 Mawer (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2010 Viinikainen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick) a, 2006 Kaaja (Valproate), 2003 Dean (Valproate), 2002 Hvas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2000 Canger (Valproate), 1999 Robert (Valproate), 1986 20 exposed to other treatment, sickexposed to other treatment, sick 3.46[2.69; 4.46]2631,549 -NABattino, 2024 1 Tags Adjustment   - No  - No 3.34[2.67; 4.18]7514,46512%NAHao (Controls unexposed, sick), 2025 Battino, 2024 Vajda b (Valproate) (Epilepsy) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2024 Hosny (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 Alsaadi (Controls unexposed sick), 2020 Zhang (Valproate), 2020 Vanya (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2015 Campbell (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014 Veiby (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014 Cassina (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2013 Hernández-Díaz (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2012 Bànhidy (Valproate), 2011 Charlton (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2011 Mawer (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2010 Viinikainen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick) a, 2006 Kaaja (Valproate), 2003 Dean (Valproate), 2002 Hvas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2000 Canger (Valproate), 1999 Samrén (Valproate), 1999 Jäger-Roman (Valproate), 1986 Robert (Valproate), 1986 22   - Yes  - Yes 2.36[1.77; 3.13]1391,1220%NAWiggs, 2024 Thomas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 Petersen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2017 3 MatchedMatched 2.54[0.77; 8.40]5717057%NABànhidy (Valproate), 2011 Samrén (Valproate), 1999 2 All studiesAll studies 3.00[2.46; 3.66]8905,58719%NAHao (Controls unexposed, sick), 2025 Battino, 2024 Vajda b (Valproate) (Epilepsy) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2024 Wiggs, 2024 Hosny (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 Thomas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 Alsaadi (Controls unexposed sick), 2020 Zhang (Valproate), 2020 Petersen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2017 Vanya (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2015 Campbell (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014 Veiby (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014 Cassina (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2013 Hernández-Díaz (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2012 Bànhidy (Valproate), 2011 Charlton (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2011 Mawer (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2010 Viinikainen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick) a, 2006 Kaaja (Valproate), 2003 Dean (Valproate), 2002 Hvas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2000 Canger (Valproate), 1999 Samrén (Valproate), 1999 Jäger-Roman (Valproate), 1986 Robert (Valproate), 1986 250.21000.01.0

Publication bias and p-hacking diagnosis

funnel plot
0.0-4.85.12.0260.000Hao (Controls unexposed, sick), 2025Battino, 2024Vajda b (Valproate) (Epilepsy) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2024Wiggs, 2024Hosny (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021Thomas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021Alsaadi (Controls unexposed sick), 2020Zhang (Valproate), 2020Petersen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2017Vanya (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2015Campbell (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014Veiby (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014Cassina (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2013Hernández-Díaz (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2012Bànhidy (Valproate), 2011Charlton (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2011Mawer (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2010Viinikainen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick) a, 2006Kaaja (Valproate), 2003Dean (Valproate), 2002Hvas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2000Canger (Valproate), 1999Samrén (Valproate), 1999Jäger-Roman (Valproate), 1986Robert (Valproate), 1986

Asymetry test p-value = 0.3339 (by Egger's regression)

slope=1.0089 (0.1320); intercept=0.3463 (0.3485); t=0.9935; p=0.3339

p values plot
0.01.00.01.0

Sub-groups analysis using all included studies

excluded 6929, 9848, 9849, 8138, 5940, 6525, 318, 6317, 6313, 6962, 9995, 9993, 16702, 8006, 12690, 12881, 12860, 7558, 15858, 18047, 18094

Sub-groupsTE95% CIn casesn exposedkI2ROB type of controls unexposed controls (disease free or unspecified)unexposed controls (disease free or unspecified) 3.71[2.50; 5.51]28,1561,32847%NAThomas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2021 Petersen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed NOS), 2017 Veiby (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2014 Cassina (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2013 Hernández-Díaz (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2012 Mawer (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2010 Hvas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2000 Samrén (Valproate), 1999 Jäger-Roman (Valproate), 1986 9 unexposed, sick controlsunexposed, sick controls 2.61[2.13; 3.20]5153,4982%NAHao (Controls unexposed, sick), 2025 Vajda b (Valproate) (Epilepsy) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2024 Wiggs, 2024 Hosny (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 Thomas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 Alsaadi (Controls unexposed sick), 2020 Zhang (Valproate), 2020 Petersen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2017 Vanya (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2015 Campbell (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014 Veiby (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014 Bànhidy (Valproate), 2011 Charlton (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2011 Mawer (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2010 Viinikainen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick) a, 2006 Kaaja (Valproate), 2003 Dean (Valproate), 2002 Hvas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2000 Canger (Valproate), 1999 Robert (Valproate), 1986 20 exposed to other treatment, sick controlsexposed to other treatment, sick controls 3.13[2.65; 3.70]5794,2350%NAHao (Controls exposed to LTG), 2025 Battino, 2024 Vajda b (Valproate) (Epilepsy) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2024 Hosny (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2021 Thomas (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2021 Alsaadi (Controls exposed to LTG), 2020 Petersen (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2017 Vanya (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2015 Campbell (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2014 Veiby (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2014 Cassina (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2013 Hernández-Díaz (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2012 Charlton (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2011 Mawer (Valproate) (Controls exposed to Lamotrigine, sick), 2010 140.510.01.0

Umbrella review (other published meta-analyses)

Published MAControlPeriodTE95% CIn exposedkI2 Tanoshima (Major congenital malformations)Tanoshima (Major congenital malformations) 2.44[2.13; 2.80]0%-Wwhatever (meta-analysis)Anyduring pregnancy (anytime or not specified)studies TTT28 metaPregmetaPreg 3.00[2.46; 3.66]19%5,587----Hao (Controls unexposed, sick), 2025 Battino, 2024 Vajda b (Valproate) (Epilepsy) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2024 Wiggs, 2024 Hosny (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 Thomas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2021 Alsaadi (Controls unexposed sick), 2020 Zhang (Valproate), 2020 Petersen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2017 Vanya (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2015 Campbell (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014 Veiby (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2014 Cassina (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2013 Hernández-Díaz (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, disease free), 2012 Bànhidy (Valproate), 2011 Charlton (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2011 Mawer (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2010 Viinikainen (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick) a, 2006 Kaaja (Valproate), 2003 Dean (Valproate), 2002 Hvas (Valproate) (Controls unexposed, sick), 2000 Canger (Valproate), 1999 Samrén (Valproate), 1999 Jäger-Roman (Valproate), 1986 Robert (Valproate), 1986 250.510.01.0