Factors associated with behavioral problems in children with idiopathic epilepsy

SummaryThe present study examined whether the perceived behavioral problems of children with idiopathic epilepsy differed from those of healthy controls according to parent proxy-reports and which factors are associated with these problems. The parents of 106 children with idiopathic epilepsy and 305 healthy controls aged 6–9 years old completed the Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Parent Rating Scale and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The 106 children with idiopathic epilepsy were also interviewed using the K-SADS-PL. The parents of children with idiopathic epilepsy reported more hyperactivity, emotional and conduct problems than the parents of healthy controls, as well as less prosocial behavior. Parents detected no differences in peer problems, inattention, oppositional/defiant disorder, and anxiety/depression. Age of onset of epilepsy (later), the number of administered antiepileptic drugs (polytherapy), and gender (male) predicted behavioral problems in children with idiopathic epilepsy. The frequency of seizures was associated with behavioral problems, while age was not. Finally, children with benign focal epilepsy were rated by their parents as having less behavioral problems than children with generalized epilepsy.