Behavioral and academic problems in children with Sturge-Weber syndrome: Differences between children with and without seizures

Although Sturge-Weber (SWS) syndrome is associated with behavioral and academic problems in childhood, it is unknown whether those problems are concomitants of the disorder itself or of the seizure disorder that is common in SWS. We compared two groups of children with SWS-- one with seizures (n = 20) and one without seizures (n = 14)--on parent-report and teacher-report measures of behavioral and academic functioning. The two subgroups were compared with each other as well as with children with epilepsy alone (n = 29) and a group of healthy controls (n = 21). The SWS group with seizures was more impaired than the seizure-free group on 9 of 15 measures and the children with seizures were 10 times as likely to have received special education services. Overall, children with SWS and seizures were similar to the epilepsy group, whereas children with SWS and no seizures were similar to the controls.

► The presence of seizures is a risk factor for behavioral and academic abnormalities in young people with SWS. ► Individuals with SWS and seizures appear to be similar to other individuals with epilepsy (without SWS). ► Individuals with SWS and without seizures do not appear to have elevated risk for behavioral or academic dysfunction.