[Is valproic acid teratogenic?].

In more than 7 000 cases of neonatal malformations processed up to 1982 in a regional computer register 71 infants had been born from epileptic mothers. A significantly higher than expected number of spina bifida aperta were observed in this group, related to the administration to the mother of the anti-epileptic agent valproic acid. A pathogenic hypothesis and a possible preventive procedure for this type of malformation are discussed.