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A recent study carried out by researchers from Columbia University, New York, has claimed that pregnant women who are prescribed high doses of the medication to control seizures are at high risk of having a baby with spina bifida, heart problems or cleft palate.

W Allen Hauser from Columbia University said, "The findings are important to the clinician treating people with epilepsy because they provide specific information not only on the drug but also on the dose".

The results of the study were based on the evaluation of 4,000 pregnant women. The results of the evaluation revealed that 230 babies born to mothers suffering from epilepsy had birth defects. Researchers have claimed that these birth defects were linked with the use of all type of epilepsy drugs.

Figures reveal that up to 0.7% of pregnancies are in women who have epilepsy and most of them have to keep taking drugs to stay safe and avoid any fits. The epilepsy fits can affect that the mothers and their unborn

Researchers fear that this epilepsy drug could not only lead to birth defects but also result in development problems in babies.