Risk of behavioral disturbances in pediatric patients with epilepsy and mild to moderate cognitive impairment: A cross-sectional study

Objective

The aim of the study was to assess whether children and adolescents with epilepsy are at higher risk of behavioral disturbances when they have concomitant cognitive disturbances.

Methods

Behavioral scores were generated using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Cognitive evaluation was applied by using different age appropriate versions of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale. CBCL scores (total, externalizing, internalizing) were compared between patients with and without intellectual disability (IQ score < 70 and ≥70, respectively).

Results

144 (10.2 mean age, 6.0–17.9 range) patients were recruited for the study. Patients with mild to moderate intellectual disability (full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) < 70) were not at higher risk of behavioral disturbances (total CBCL score ≥ 63) than patients without cognitive impairment. The mean total CBCL score was 62.0 ± 10.6 (range 42.0–83.5, 95% CI 57.9–62.0) and 59.3 ± 10.3 (range 38.0–80.0, CI 57.4–61.2) for patients with FSIQ < 70 and ≥70, respectively. There was no correlation between FSIQ and total CBCL scores. These findings were true for all IQ subcategories.

Significance

Behavioral disturbances among children and adolescents with epilepsy occur despite the presence or absence of intellectual dysfunction with respect to full-scale IQ.