Memory and phonological awareness in children with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy compared to a matched control group.
OBJECTIVE
In a previous study we demonstrated children with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy have normal intelligence and language ability. However, difficulties in verbal and visual memory and aspects of phonological awareness were found compared to normative data. To address the methodological limitations related to the use of normative data, we compared the same cohort of children with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy to a matched control group.


METHODS
Controls (n=40) matched on age and gender to the Benign Rolandic Epilepsy cohort underwent neuropsychological assessment. The life functioning of the control group was assessed using a modified version of the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE).


RESULTS
The study confirmed the previous findings of memory and phonological awareness difficulties. In addition, the children with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy had significantly lower IQ scores than the matched control group. Paired sample t-tests showed that on 8 of 11 QOLCE scales, children with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy were rated by parents as having poorer life functioning compared to matched controls, including lower parental ratings on the subscales of memory and language.


CONCLUSIONS
Benign Rolandic Epilepsy has an excellent seizure prognosis, but this study further emphasizes potential cognitive difficulties. Using an age and gender matched control group, the previous findings of memory and phonological awareness difficulties were validated. These problems in cognition were also identified by parents of children with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy as problematic and impacting upon the child's quality of life.
Northcott
Ellen
E
Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney Children's Hospital, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia. Ellen.Northcott@SESIAHS.HEALTH.NSW.GOV.AU
Connolly
Anne M
AM
Berroya
Anna
A
McIntyre
Jenny
J
Christie
Jane
J
Taylor
Alan
A
Bleasel
Andrew F
AF
Lawson
John A
JA
Bye
Ann M E
AM
D001364:Awareness / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D019305:Epilepsy, Rolandic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010700:Phonetics; D011932:Reading; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000502:physiology