J Korean Med Sci.  2012 Oct;27(10):1229-1232. 10.3346/jkms.2012.27.10.1229.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Epileptic Children

• Kim GH
• Kim JY
• Byeon JH
• Eun BL
• Rhie YJ
• Seo WH
• Eun SH

• KMID: 1778831
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2012.27.10.1229

Abstract

It is well-known that the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is higher in epileptic children than in the general pediatric population. The aim of this study was to compare the accompaniment of ADHD in epileptic children with well-controlled seizures and no significant intellectual disability with that in healthy controls. We included epileptic children between the ages of 6 and 12 yr visiting our clinic for six consecutive months and controls without significant medical or psychiatric illnesses. We excluded patients with intellectual disability or persistent seizures during the recent three months. The diagnosis of ADHD was based on the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV). After exclusion of 84 patients, we enrolled 102 (54.8%) children (mean age, 9.4 +/- 2.0 yr). Seven (7 of 102, 6.9%) were diagnosed with ADHD. As compared to control group (4 of 110, 3.6%), there was no difference in ADHD accompaniment (P = 0.29). No difference was observed in ADHD accompaniment according to seizure type and epilepsy syndrome. In conclusion, the accompaniment of ADHD in epileptic children with well-controlled seizures and no intellectual disability may not differ from that of the general pediatric population.

Keyword

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Epilepsy; Intellectual Disability

MeSH Terms

Age Factors
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/complications/*diagnosis
Brain/radiography
Child
Electroencephalography
Epilepsy/complications/*diagnosis
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Seizures/complications/diagnosis
Sex Factors