ASSESSMENT OF NEUROPSYCHIATRIC COMORBIDITIES IN EGYPTIAN CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY USING THE MINI-KID TOOL

Document Type : Original Article

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Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is considered as one of the most common neurological diseases in children with an increased risk of multiple comorbidities.
Aim of the Work: The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of neuropsychiatric comorbidities in children with epilepsy & analyze the association between neuropsychiatric comorbidities in children with epilepsy with several risk factors.
Subjects & Methods: Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for children and adolescents (MINI-KID) (child version) was used to assess the neuropsychiatric disorders of 100 children with epilepsy (CWE) and 100 healthy children from the outpatient clinic and inpatient neurology unit of  pediatric department of Al-Zahraa-university hospital. In addition, Vanderbilt Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnostic Parent Rating Scale (VADPRS) was used for confirming the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected through detailed history taking from parents.
Results: CWE had a significantly higher frequency of neuropsychiatric disorders (65%) compared to healthy control children (38%), 24% of CWE had multiple neuropsychiatric disorders compared to 10% in control group (p= <0.001). The younger the age at seizure onset (p=0.043), the longer the duration of epilepsy (p=0.017), the focal seizure (p=0.002), focal epilepsy type (p=0.003) and presence of environmental risk factors (p=0.005) the more the neuropsychiatric disorders among children with epilepsy.
Conclusion: Neuropsychiatric disorders are more common in children with epilepsy. Regular screening of children with epilepsy for neuropsychiatric comorbidities and health education programs for parents about the nature of the epilepsy disease and its comorbidities are highly recommended.

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