title: Evolution of epilepsy in children with mental retardation: five-year experience in 78 cases.
abstract: Various aspects of epilepsy, including its evolution, were studied in 78 children with mental retardation in a prospective 5-year (1989-1994) follow-up study. Level of mental retardation was moderate or even more severe (IQ < 50) in 83% of children, and 56% suffered from significant cerebral palsy. Epilepsy remained uncontrolled in 28% of cases, 2-year remission was achieved by 26%, and mortality was 12% during the study period. Associated cerebral palsy was the most important single risk factor for severe epilepsy, and several handicaps seemed to have a strong multiplicative effect. Complexity of epilepsy in children with mental retardation was reflected by the evolutionary features described.
authors.affiliation: Medical School, University of Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Erilä
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kivimäki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koivikko
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants