Are babies whose fathers took Depakine at greater risk of autism?

The risks of malformation and especially neurodevelopmental disorders in children whose mothers took valproate (Depakine) during pregnancy are now well known. It is estimated that 30 to 40% of children exposed to this molecule, prescribed for the treatment of epilepsy but also in bipolar disorders, suffer from intellectual delays, autism or even ADHD. But what about fathers taking this medication?

A year ago, European and French health authorities issued a warning concerning men of childbearing age. They recommended that contraception be continued for at least three months after the father-to-be stopped taking it. This alert followed the results of a study requested by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) from manufacturing laboratories. Based on several Scandinavian registers, this study revealed a slight increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders…