title: Behaviour problems in children with new-onset epilepsy.
abstract: Behaviour problems are common in children with epilepsy and it is not known when these problems begin. Some suggest that behaviour problems are caused by a neurological condition that also causes the seizures. Behaviour problems were investigated in 42 youths (23 girls and 19 boys) over a 4-month period beginning at the time of the initial seizure. Subjects were aged 4-15 years (mean, M = 8.4). Approximately 57% had partial seizure(s) and 43% had generalized seizure(s). The large majority (71%) were diagnosed with epilepsy. As a part of a larger study, parents rated their children's behaviour on the Child Behaviour Checklist immediately prior to the first seizure (time 1), and at 4 months after the first seizure (time 2). Seizure severity was rated as follows: high = 20%, moderate = 39%, and low = 41%. At time 1, 24% already had behaviour problems. Behaviour problems significantly decreased from time 1 to time 2 (P < 0.001) for the whole group. Within the epilepsy group (n = 40), differences were found in behaviour problems based on seizure severity from time 1 to time 2 as follows: low, time 1: M = 55, time 2: M = 45; moderate, time 1: M = 55, time 2: M = 51; and high, time 1: M = 61, time 2: M = 55. Results indicate that children should be assessed for behaviour problems at the time of the first seizure.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Huster
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012803:Sick Role