Emotional and behavioral disorders in children with epilepsy

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F Rabin1, S I Mullick, J S Nahar

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. drfarzanarabin@yahoo.com

Mymensingh Medical Journal : MMJ
|May 30, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Children with epilepsy show higher rates of emotional and behavioral disorders, including depression and anxiety. This study highlights the increased prevalence of psychiatric conditions in pediatric epilepsy cases.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Neurology
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Epilepsy in children is associated with a higher risk of emotional and behavioral disorders.
  • Understanding the prevalence of these comorbidities is crucial for comprehensive care.
  • Previous research indicates a significant link between epilepsy and psychiatric conditions in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of emotional and behavioral disorders in children with epilepsy.
  • To compare the rates of psychiatric disorders in epileptic children versus healthy controls.
  • To identify specific types of emotional and behavioral disorders common in pediatric epilepsy.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 50 children with epilepsy and 50 matched controls.
  • Participants aged 5-17 years were assessed using the Development And Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA) (Validated Bangla Version).
  • Parent, teacher, and self-report versions of the DAWBA were utilized for comprehensive assessment.

Main Results:

  • Forty-four percent of children with epilepsy exhibited psychiatric disorders, a significantly higher rate than in controls.
  • Emotional disorders were more prevalent than behavioral disorders among the epileptic children.
  • Specific disorders identified included major depressive disorder (20%), obsessive-compulsive disorder (25%), and various anxiety disorders (25%).

Conclusions:

  • Children with epilepsy have a significantly higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders compared to healthy children.
  • Emotional and behavioral comorbidities are common in pediatric epilepsy and require clinical attention.
  • Early identification and management of these disorders are essential for improving the overall well-being of children with epilepsy.

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