Do Behavioral Problems Vary by Recurrence of Seizures?
Abstract number :
2.179
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
1671
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
D.W. Dunn, MD, Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN; J.K. Austin, DNS, RN, School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN; J. Harezlak, M.Sc., Biostatistics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN; S. Perkin
RATIONALE: Children with new-onset seizures and children with epilepsy have an increased risk of behavioral problems. In almost all studies, information on behavioral problems was gathered at only one time point. The purpose of this longitudinal study is to assess the effect of continuing seizures on behavior.
METHODS: We followed 212 children with new-onset seizures over a 24-month period assessing their behavior at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 months. The children were between 4 and 14 years of age at enrollment. There were 117 children with no additional seizures and 95 with recurrent seizures. Controls consisted of 135 healthy siblings nearest in age to the child with seizures. Behavior was assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist. Data were analyzed using t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA methods.
RESULTS: On average, at baseline there was no difference in behavioral problems scores in the two groups of children with new-onset seizures. Over the 24-month period, the group with no additional seizures had a tendency to decrease in Total Behavior Problems Scores whereas the group with additional seizures did not change. In comparison to siblings, the children with seizures had more behavior problems, with a tendency for the difference to decrease in children with no additional seizures and increase in those with recurrence of seizures.
CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in behavior may follow apparent cessation in seizures, but continuation of seizures leads to persistence of behavior problems.
Support: This research was supported by Grant PHS R01 NS22416 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to Dr. Austin.