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Use of a Cumulative Risk Scale to Predict Poor Intellectual and Academic Outcomes in Childhood Epilepsy

Brian C Kavanaugh1, Vanessa Ramos Scarborough2, Cynthia F Salorio3

  • 1Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, Riverside, RI, USA Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.

Journal of Child Neurology
|January 10, 2016
PubMed

Insights

A new tool, the Epilepsy Cumulative Risk Scale, effectively predicts poor outcomes in childhood epilepsy by assessing multiple risk factors. A score of 5 or higher indicates a high risk, aiding early intervention for affected children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Epilepsy Research
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Identifying individual risk factors for poor outcomes in childhood epilepsy is established.
  • The predictive value of combined risk factors for functional outcomes remains less clear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate the Epilepsy Cumulative Risk Scale (ECRS) for quantifying cumulative risk in childhood epilepsy.
  • To assess the association of the ECRS with intellectual and academic functioning.

Main Methods:

  • The ECRS was developed using variables previously linked to functional outcomes in 156 clinic-referred children with epilepsy.
  • Scale utility was evaluated by correlating ECRS scores with measures of intellectual and academic performance.

Main Results:

  • All variables within the ECRS demonstrated significant associations with patient functioning.
  • The ECRS Total Score, representing the cumulative effect of risk factors, showed the strongest correlation with cognitive and academic skills.
  • An ECRS Total Score of 5 or greater exhibited optimal sensitivity and specificity for identifying high-risk individuals.

Conclusions:

  • The Epilepsy Cumulative Risk Scale is a promising, data-driven tool for assessing cumulative risk in childhood epilepsy.
  • The ECRS can aid in identifying children who may require additional support services for poor outcomes.

Keywords:
academicchildrencumulative riskepilepsyintelligenceoutcomes

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