Abstract
Introduction Psychiatric and behavioral problems are frequent comorbidities of epilepsy, although their clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) correlates remain uncertain. In this study, we have assessed the frequency of psychopathological problems in a cohort of children with epilepsy, and established their main clinical and EEG-associated features. Methods One hundred fifty-nine young patients with epilepsy were recruited and assessed through the Child Behavior Checklist for preschool-aged children (CBCL 1 1/2–5) or for school-aged children (CBCL 6–18). Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) results were then correlated to the main clinical and EEG data. Results We found emotional and behavioral problems in about half of the children in our sample. Internalizing, social, and attention problems were more common than externalizing features. Moderate intellectual disability, a nonidiopathic etiology of epilepsy, a poor control of seizures, and antiepileptic polytherapies, as well as an early age at seizure-onset and a longer duration of the disorder, were all associated with specific behavioral and emotional problems. A temporal site of interictal EEG abnormalities also enhanced the risk for psychiatric comorbidities, especially in the externalizing domain. Conclusions Several clinical and EEG features are associated with an increased risk for emotional and behavioral comorbidities in children with epilepsy. Their identification may foster an early diagnosis and appropriate care, limiting the worsening of psychiatric symptoms and their impact on quality of life and health status. A better understanding of the underlying clinical and molecular mechanisms is needed to further improve prevention and treatment interventions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 68-74 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Epilepsy and Behavior |
| Volume | 79 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 15 2017 |
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Keywords
- CBCL
- Childhood epilepsy
- Psychiatric comorbidities
- Risk factors
- Temporal EEG abnormalities
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Cite this
Internalizing and externalizing symptoms in preschool and school-aged children with epilepsy : Focus on clinical and EEG features. / Dal Canto, Giulia; Pellacani, Simona; Valvo, Giulia; Masi, Gabriele; Ferrari, Anna Rita; Sicca, Federico.
In: Epilepsy and Behavior, Vol. 79, 15.12.2017, p. 68-74.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Internalizing and externalizing symptoms in preschool and school-aged children with epilepsy
T2 - Focus on clinical and EEG features
AU - Dal Canto, Giulia
AU - Pellacani, Simona
AU - Valvo, Giulia
AU - Masi, Gabriele
AU - Ferrari, Anna Rita
AU - Sicca, Federico
PY - 2017/12/15
Y1 - 2017/12/15
N2 - Introduction Psychiatric and behavioral problems are frequent comorbidities of epilepsy, although their clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) correlates remain uncertain. In this study, we have assessed the frequency of psychopathological problems in a cohort of children with epilepsy, and established their main clinical and EEG-associated features. Methods One hundred fifty-nine young patients with epilepsy were recruited and assessed through the Child Behavior Checklist for preschool-aged children (CBCL 1 1/2–5) or for school-aged children (CBCL 6–18). Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) results were then correlated to the main clinical and EEG data. Results We found emotional and behavioral problems in about half of the children in our sample. Internalizing, social, and attention problems were more common than externalizing features. Moderate intellectual disability, a nonidiopathic etiology of epilepsy, a poor control of seizures, and antiepileptic polytherapies, as well as an early age at seizure-onset and a longer duration of the disorder, were all associated with specific behavioral and emotional problems. A temporal site of interictal EEG abnormalities also enhanced the risk for psychiatric comorbidities, especially in the externalizing domain. Conclusions Several clinical and EEG features are associated with an increased risk for emotional and behavioral comorbidities in children with epilepsy. Their identification may foster an early diagnosis and appropriate care, limiting the worsening of psychiatric symptoms and their impact on quality of life and health status. A better understanding of the underlying clinical and molecular mechanisms is needed to further improve prevention and treatment interventions.
AB - Introduction Psychiatric and behavioral problems are frequent comorbidities of epilepsy, although their clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) correlates remain uncertain. In this study, we have assessed the frequency of psychopathological problems in a cohort of children with epilepsy, and established their main clinical and EEG-associated features. Methods One hundred fifty-nine young patients with epilepsy were recruited and assessed through the Child Behavior Checklist for preschool-aged children (CBCL 1 1/2–5) or for school-aged children (CBCL 6–18). Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) results were then correlated to the main clinical and EEG data. Results We found emotional and behavioral problems in about half of the children in our sample. Internalizing, social, and attention problems were more common than externalizing features. Moderate intellectual disability, a nonidiopathic etiology of epilepsy, a poor control of seizures, and antiepileptic polytherapies, as well as an early age at seizure-onset and a longer duration of the disorder, were all associated with specific behavioral and emotional problems. A temporal site of interictal EEG abnormalities also enhanced the risk for psychiatric comorbidities, especially in the externalizing domain. Conclusions Several clinical and EEG features are associated with an increased risk for emotional and behavioral comorbidities in children with epilepsy. Their identification may foster an early diagnosis and appropriate care, limiting the worsening of psychiatric symptoms and their impact on quality of life and health status. A better understanding of the underlying clinical and molecular mechanisms is needed to further improve prevention and treatment interventions.
KW - CBCL
KW - Childhood epilepsy
KW - Psychiatric comorbidities
KW - Risk factors
KW - Temporal EEG abnormalities
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85038001297&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85038001297&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.yebeh.2017.10.004
DO - 10.1016/j.yebeh.2017.10.004
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85038001297
VL - 79
SP - 68
EP - 74
JO - Epilepsy and Behavior
JF - Epilepsy and Behavior
SN - 1525-5050
ER -