Control of epilepsy in a mentally retarded population: lack of correlation with IQ, neurological status, and...

An investigation of 90 children with mental retardation and epilepsy who were seen at a developmental evaluation clinic was conducted to determine whether control of their epilepsy was related to their level of mental retardation. Their level of retardation, neurological findings, and EEGs were classified and compared with the quality of seizure control. No correlation was found between quality of control and any of these parameters. Results suggest that there is no firm relation between the level of mental retardation and control of epilepsy. It also appears that the neurological status and EEG do not affect quality of seizure control for this group.