An observational study on behavioral problems among the children with epilepsy

Background and Aim: Psychological and biochemical factors are responsible for the behavioral problems in children with epilepsy. A study was conducted to find the prevalence of behavioral problems in children with epilepsy and also to identify the relation among socioeconomic status, age of onset of seizure, and frequency of seizure attacks with the prevalence of behavioral problems. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective observational study conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal. Convenient sampling was considered; the study was conducted for 2 years. Children aged 1–12 years, admitted with epilepsy to pediatric intensive care unit and pediatric wards, were included in this study. Those were having intellectual problems, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, and metabolic and neurodegenerative disorder were excluded from the study. Sociodemographic information was collected from the parents in a standard pro forma. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-oriented scales for different ages were used for the assessment of behavior by translating into regional language. Chi-square test was used; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 112 children were included; male: female ratio was 1.39; 41 (36.6%) children had behavioral problems; age-wise, there was significant difference; gender-wise, there was no significant difference. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity problems were identified to be the predominant. Statistically, there was no significant difference between behavioral problems either with mother education or with parent's socioeconomic status, respectively. When brain imaging was done, normal studies were revealed in 32% of children with behavior problem. Conclusion: Each and every child with epilepsy aged <5 years and frequency of seizure attack >1 time/year needs thorough screening for behavioral problems irrespective of gender and family characteristics.