Determinants of IQ profile in children with idiopathic generalized epilepsy.
To determine the IQ profile of children with epilepsy and the influence of various epilepsy-related variables on IQ scores, we studied 50 children with idiopathic generalized epilepsy of > 1-year duration, 25 of their siblings, and 30 healthy controls. IQ assessments were made with Malin's Indian modification of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. The mean +/- SD IQ scores of children with epilepsy (85.6 +/- 12) and their siblings (93.2 +/- 11) were significantly lower than those of the controls (101.6 +/- 9). The IQ scores of the children with epilepsy were also significantly lower than those of their siblings (p < 0.05). The IQ scores showed a significant correlation with socioeconomic status (SES) score (r = 0.33), a history of status epilepticus (r = -0.38), duration of seizure disorder (r = -0.31), and total number of seizures (r = -0.31). On multiple regression analysis, status epilepticus emerged as the most significant variable, accounting for 14% variance, followed by SES score (9% variance), duration of seizure disorder (6% variance), and sex of the child (5% variance). Genetic or environmental factors that probably lead to cognitive deficit in children with epilepsy and their siblings require further study.
Singhi
P D
PD
Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Bansal
U
U
Singhi
S
S
Pershad
D
D
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014888:Wechsler Scales