Hidden dysfunction in childhood epilepsy

Abstract

Sensory and motor function were evaluated in 84 children and adolescents with epilepsy but not additional neuroimpairments such as mental retardation or cerebral palsy. The influence of sex, age, age at onset of epilepsy, duration, seizure type and frequency and medication was analysed. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency and the EB (Eva Beckung) test were used. We found significant dysfunction in gross as well as in fine motor functions. The most obvious deviation from normal was noted in gross motor function, mainly in the areas of running speed, balance, response speed and bilateral coordination, but also in upper-limb speed, dexterity and coordination. Boys performed better than girls. Motor function scores improved with age but sensory and motor problems persisted in the teenage years. Early onset and a long duration of the epilepsy were associated with significantly more sensory and motor difficulties. The children on monotherapy performed significantly better than the children on polytherapy and, surprisingly, also better than those without antiepileptic medication. Sensory and motor function should be carefully investigated in the context of a comprehensive rehabilitation programme for children with epilepsy.