Clinical and electrophysiological predictors of behavioral disorders in patients with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes.

PURPOSE: Long-term seizure and developmental outcomes of benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) are thought to be good. Studies have shown that behavioral disorders may accompany BECTS. We aimed to investigate the frequency of behavioral disorders in patients with BECTS and evaluate their relationship to epilepsy features. METHODS: Data for 41 patients with BECTS followed up at our clinic between December 2019 and June 2020 were analyzed. Behavioral disorders and intelligence were evaluated by the Turgay Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition - Disruptive Behaviour Disorders Rating Scale and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Revised, respectively. Patients with a diagnosis of BECTS were divided into 2 groups: children with a behavioral disorder and children without a behavioral disorder. Demographic characteristics, clinical and electroencephalography (EEG) findings, and intelligence level were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Twelve of the patients (29%) were classified as having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and 2 (5%) were classified as having oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). The age at seizure onset was earlier in patients with behavioral disorders (p = 0.023). Bilateral interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) were more common in children with behavioral disorders than children without behavioral disorders (p = 0.039). The most preferred antiseizure medication was carbamazepine, followed by levetiracetam and valproic acid. The intelligence score of the patients with BECTS was in the normal range in both groups. The total, verbal, and performance scores were lower in patients with a behavioral disorder than in patients without a behavioral disorder, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Behavioral disorders may be present in approximately one-third of patients with BECTS. Early onset of seizures and the presence of bilateral IEDs may be risk factors for behavioral disorders in children with BECTS.

Psychiatric and Neurocognitive Evaluation Focused on Frontal Lobe Functions in Rolandic Epilepsy.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to assess the behavioral problems, psychiatric disorders and neurocognitive functions focusing on frontal lobe functions in children with rolandic epilepsy (RE) and compare them with a control group. METHOD: 31 children with RE, aged between 8 and 13,5 years were compared with a control group matched for age, sex and socioeconomic status. Behavioral problems were assessed by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and psychiatric diagnoses were established by using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia Present and Lifetime Version. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) were applied in both groups of children. RESULT: The RE group presented more psychiatric disorders than the control group. Verbal and total IQ scores in the RE group were lower than in the control group. Although the groups did not differ from each other in WCST scores, children with RE displayed lower performance in SCWT. The RE group had a higher externalizing score and higher total scores in CBCL. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that RE did not affect basic frontal lobe functions significantly, had negative effects on attention and IQ performance and increased behavioral problems and psychiatric disorders.

Can preschool developmental screening identify children at risk for school problems?

Screening preschool children for potential school problems may allow early intervention. Children beginning first grade (N=980) were tested with Denver II. All with normal/questionable results had satisfactory school performance while 26% of those with abnormal Denver II had low school scores. 43%, 27% and 0% of children with abnormal, questionable, and normal Denver II respectively had IQ<90 on WISC-R (p=0.05). Preschool Denver II can be recommended for populations at risk.