Memory Status Among Children With Epilepsy

Abstract

Objective: To study the status of visual and verbal memory status among children with epilepsy and effects on schooling. Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled children aged 5 to 15 years who have been diagnosed to have epilepsy and has been seizure free during last one month. Enrolled children (81) were evaluated by using two sub tests selected from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences(NIMHANS) Neuropsychological Battery for Children, Rey’s Auditory Verbal Learning test and Memory for Designs test, for verbal and visual memory status respectively and the child was graded on the basis of the standard scores. Schooling details were obtained by questioners to care taker. Results: Memory impairment (MI) was identied in 50 (61.7%) Children with Epilepsy (CWE) (predominantly verbal memory impairment). 20 (25%) CWE were not attending age appropriate class. Among these 20 CWE, 17(85%) children had memory impairment. p: 0.01. There were 25 CWE performing poorly, among them 22(88%) children had memory impairment. p <0.0024. A total of 8 children were school dropouts and all 8 had MI (100%).Conclusions:MI was found to be very common in CWE. MI among CWE was found to negatively inuence age appropriate schooling and school performance. Early screening and appropriate support may improve the outcome.