Behavioral problems of epileptic children at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health.

Background: Neurological diseases and psychiatric problems were cloudily related. Many patients with epilepsy had associated problems such as Learning disorders (LD) or Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Evaluation and treatments of these behavioral and learning problems should be, therefore, included in management of patients with epilepsy in order to improve their quality of life.

Objective: To study behavioral, learning problems that indicate ADHD in epileptic children.

Material And Method: These was cross sectional study in 100 epileptic children, age 6- 11-years-old who visited Neurological Clinic at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health. The patients were assessed with Thai Youth Checklist (TYC), IOWA screening test for ADHD and questionnaires concerning learning area. The data was analyzed in Chi-square, using SPSS program.

Results: The prevalence of behavioral problems in epileptic children was 57 percent. The prevalence of moderate to severe ones which should be treated and related to complex partial seizure was 32 percent. The prevalence of learning problems was 23 percent. Most were found in higher classes. The prevalence of behaviors that indicate ADHD was 23 percent from TYC and 58 percent from IOWA screening test for ADHD. There was relationship of behaviors that indicate ADHD and the severity of epilepsy. The prevalence of delinquent behavior was 24 percent and social problems were 32 percent respectively. Correlation of behavioral problems and social skills (p = 0.027), good manner toward parents (p = 0.015) and helping house chores (p = 0.016) were significantly different. However there was no significantly different between behavioral problems and age of onset as well as duration of epileptic symptom, frequency of seizures in the past 6 months, EEG results and combination of medication.

Conclusion: The epileptic children had high risks of behavioral and learning problems; they may be prevented by intensive evaluation, proper interventions, adequate counseling, proper medication, parental training and proper rehabilitation.