title: Treatment of epilepsy in children with developmental disabilities.
abstract: Children with developmental disabilities are at increased risk for epilepsy with a prevalence rate higher than the general population. Some of the more common developmental disorders in childhood and the features of epilepsy in these conditions are discussed. Specifically, autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder are reviewed. Ideal treatment for developmentally-disabled children with epilepsy entails maximal seizure control without any significant adverse effects from the anti-epileptic drugs and good quality of life. Antiepileptic drugs' cognitive and behavioral adverse effects tend to occur more frequently in these children. Careful selection of the appropriate medication and close monitoring for drug adverse effects is important. The specific adverse effects of the older and newer antiepileptic drugs are also reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Neurology and Pediatrics, George Washington University Medical Center, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. DCabacar@cnmc.org
authors.forename: Dewi Frances T
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Depositario-Cabacar
authors.forename: Tesfaye-Getaneh
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Zelleke
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D014741:Video Recording
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants