Parental report of cognitive difficulties, quality of life and rehabilitation in children with epilepsy or treated for brain tumour.
OBJECTIVE
Paediatric neurological chronic conditions are often associated with physical, cognitive, psychological and behavioural difficulties that may affect quality of life (QOL) of children and their families. In this study, we compare parental report of difficulties and rehabilitation in children with various epileptic syndromes or treated for a benign or malignant brain tumour.


METHODS
One hundred fifty-three children aged between 6 and 12 years were included, 119 with epilepsy (non-idiopathic generalized 31, non-idiopathic partial 62, idiopathic 26) and 34 treated for a brain tumour. Parents answered a multidimensional questionnaire on child's autonomy and cognitive or behavioural difficulties, impact of the illness on their own everyday life, and rehabilitation.


RESULTS
Learning difficulties were reported by a majority of parents in all groups. Behavioural and autonomy problems were more often reported in the non-idiopathic generalized epilepsy group. Report of tiredness was more frequent and of disrupting behaviour less frequent in the tumour group than in epilepsy. Impact of the child's illness on parents' QOL was strong in all groups, and stronger in case of severe forms of epilepsy.


CONCLUSIONS
Parental concerns are important to consider for rehabilitation programmes adapted to each child with these neurological conditions.
Soria
Carmen
C
Institut de Psychologie, Laboratoire de Psychologie et de Neurosciences cognitives-CNRS UMR 8189, Universite Paris Descartes, Boulogne Billancourt, France.
Callu
Delphine
D
Viguier
Delphine
D
El Sabbagh
Sandra
S
Bulteau
Christine
C
Laroussinie
Francoise
F
Dellatolas
Georges
G
D001519:Behavior; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires