Behavioural Disturbance in Children with Epilepsy Evaluated with Vidoetelemetry
Abstract number :
2.176
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
405
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
S.E. Aylett, DCH MRCP FRCPCH, Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom; M. Fowler, BA MSC(Psych), The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey, United Kingdom; V.C. Burch, MA,MED, The National
RATIONALE: To describe the behavioural characteristics of children with epilepsy referred to a tertiary centre for videotelemetry and to define possible aetiology of behavioural disturbance in this group of children.
METHODS: Chart review of 64 children refered for evaluation of epilepsy or diagnosis of possible epileptic attacks. Children were assessed with videotelemetry over 48 hours, with observation of behaviour and assessment of cognitive ability by a neuropsychologist. Social factors affecting the child and family were assessed by a clinical nurse specialist.
RESULTS: 64 children were evaluated (males 40, females 24). Mean age 10 years(range 4-19 years). The mean age of onset of epilepsy was 29 months (range 1 month-9 years). In 51 children the aim at referral was to assess for a possible correlation of behavioural disturbance with epileptiform activity. The behaviours of concern at referral included verbal or physical aggression (43), poor attention /hyperactivity (25), stereotypies/obsessive patterns of behaviour (13), attention seeking behaviour (9), non compliant behaviour (7), sleep disturbance (6) and self injurious behaviour (2). The target behaviours were observed in 25. Behaviour disturbance showed a correlation with EEG change in 2; in the remainder there was no association with epileptiform activity. Associated diagnoses felt to be relevant to the behaviour disturbance included emotional problems, and mood disturbance, autistic spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, disinhibition and learnt patterns of behaviour in the context of learning disability. Frequent or continuous discharges were observed in sleep in 11. The most frequent type of non epileptic attack were blank spells, observed in 13.
CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that behavioural disturbances were not usually directly related to seizure activity, but were mostly associated with developmental, learning and emotional factors. Blank spells were the most frequently observed non epileptic event.
Support: Not applicable