engleski

Epilepsy in preschool children in Croatia ; associated handicap in social and medical care

Introduction: Psychosocial problems and different types of handicap are found in people with epilepsy (PwE) with different frequency and meaning depending on age. Previous investigations found increased frequency of emotional and social problems in children with epilepsy. Noticing oy psychosocial problems and any kind of handicap in children is important because of its permanent harmful effect on quality of life and because of the necessity of adjusted therapeutical approach to these children.Aim: The aim o this investigation was qualitative and quantitative determination of associated handicap in Croatian preschool children with epilepsy, and decision about basic social and medical procedures. Methods: Data were collected by means of questionnaires complete by primary health care paediatricians. The diagnosis of epilepsy was verified by neuropaediatrician. Results: Obtained results include 119 children 0-7 years old, boys and girls quite evenly represented ( 51.3% vs. 48.7%). Some type of handicap was found in 58% (N=69) of children with epilepsy ; disorders of motor ability (46.6, N=54), speech (42.2%, N=49), behaviour (40%, N= 46), sight (14.7%, N= 17), and hearing ( 9.5%, N= 11). Normal intellectual status was found in 61.5% of children with epilepsy, while the rest of the children had some degree of mental retardation: mild (11.1%), moderate (10.3%) and severe (17.1%). Most of the children live with their families (95.8, N=114), only smaller par is permanently situated in the institution for special care (4.2%, N= 5). The rate of kindergarten members, if children with mental retardation are excluded, rise up to 27.5%. Monotherapy was prescribed in 75.4% of children, and valproates were the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs. Polytherapy was more often used in the subgroup of children with mental retardation compared with the group with no retardation (36.4% vs 17.1% ; p<0.05). Conclusion: Handicap in preschool children with epilepsy in Croatia is comparable in its qualitative and quantitative characteristics with the results of studies in other countries. Children with mental retardation are more often treated with polytherapy which probably correlates with the severity of epilepsy. We have found no element that would indicate discrimination of children with epilepsy in acceptance to kindergartens.

epilepsy ; children ; handicap

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