Year: 2007
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Purpose There are only few studies concerning cognitive functioning of small children with ‘epilepsy only’. The aim of this study was to describe neurocognitive functioning of 3-6 year old children with ‘epilepsy only’, i.e. children with epilepsy but without any associated neurological disorder or chronic illness. \n\nMethods The intellectual (IQ) and neurocognitive functioning of the children with ‘epilepsy only’ (n=13) was compared with that of matched healthy controls (n=13). The Wechsler’s Primary and Preschool Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R) and the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment (NEPSY) were administered. Neurocognitive functions of Attention, Language, Sensomotor, Visuospatial and Memory were included in the assessment. \n\nResults There were statistically significant differences between the study and the control group in Verbal IQ and Full scale IQ, but no difference between the two groups was found in Performance IQ. VIQ of children with ‘epilepsy only’ differed also statistically significantly from WPPSI-R normative data, but no differences between PIQ or FIQ and normative data were found. Children with ‘epilepsy only’ had subtle neurocognitive difficulties in verbal short-term memory (p < .01) and attention (p < .05) compared to healthy children. \n\nConclusions The intellectual functioning of children with ‘epilepsy only’ was comparable to healthy controls. However, children with early onset (i.e. before or during preschool age) ‘epilepsy only’ seem to have difficulties in general language development and special impairments in verbal short-term memory and attention skills compared to healthy preschool children. Psychological screening and detailed neuropsychological assessment are suggested for clinical practice.\n\nKeywords: ‘epilepsy only’, neurocognitive function, preschool children
Author: Kati Rantanen
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W215511021