[Comorbidity in children with epilepsy. I: Behaviour problems, ADHD and intelligence]
Niels Henrik Rasmussen1, Lars Kjaersgård Hansen, Lene Sahlholdt
1Gentofte Hospital, Børneafdeling L, Hellerup. niras@gentoftehosp.kbhamt.dk
Insights
Children with epilepsy show higher comorbidity rates than healthy peers. More research is needed to understand behavioral issues and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in pediatric epilepsy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Child Psychiatry
- Epilepsy Research
Context:
- Idiopathic and cryptogenic epilepsy in children.
- Limited prospective longitudinal studies on comorbidity in pediatric epilepsy.
- Existing literature suggests higher comorbidity in children with epilepsy compared to healthy controls.
Purpose:
- To review the existing literature on comorbidities in children with idiopathic and cryptogenic epilepsy.
- To identify gaps in research, particularly the need for prospective longitudinal studies.
- To explore the relationship between epilepsy onset and behavioral problems, and the prevalence of ADHD.
Summary:
- Literature review indicates a scarcity of prospective longitudinal studies on comorbidity in pediatric epilepsy.
- Children with epilepsy tend to have a higher prevalence of comorbidity than healthy children.
- Behavioral problems may precede epileptic seizures; evidence for ADHD comorbidity is inconclusive. IQ appears normal.
Impact:
- Highlights the need for robust prospective longitudinal research to accurately determine the prevalence and nature of comorbidities in pediatric epilepsy.
- Suggests that behavioral issues might be a precursor to seizures, influencing early intervention strategies.
- Informs clinical practice and future research directions regarding the comprehensive assessment and management of children with epilepsy.
Abstract:
A search of the literature of studies on comorbidity in children with idiopathic and cryptogenic epilepsy revealed very few prospective longitudinal studies. The tendency was that children with epilepsy had a greater prevalence of comorbidity than healthy children, but more prospective longitudinal studies are needed to show the exact prevalence, grade and character. Behaviour problems seem to occur before the children have seizures, i.e. the behaviour problem seems to exist before the onset of epileptic seizures. There was no sound evidence for the prevalence of comorbidity in the form of ADHD. Children with epilepsy seem to have normal IQ.
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