Abstract

Background Epilepsy being one of the most prevalent neurological diseases in children is associated with psychopathology and academic concerns. Epilepsy surgery is considered for refractory epilepsy at some centers in India and hence this study was undertaken to find out prevalence and type of psychopathology in children and adolescents with refractory epilepsy before epilepsy surgery. Methods All data were analyzed from the records of patients undergoing preepilepsy surgery protocol workup in comprehensive center of epilepsy care at a general municipal hospital in Mumbai. A record of 150 children and adolescents in the age group of 3 to 18 years over a period of 10 years was taken and all details of demographics, epilepsy, and psychopathology were recorded. Results The mean age for our sample was 11.4 +/- 3.4 years and a male preponderance was seen. Majority (80%) of the children were pursuing education. The duration of seizure disorder was approximately 4.41 + 2.36 years and complex partial seizures were seen commonly in 50% of the children. Both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and video electroencephalography (VEEG) findings revealed right sided lateralization followed by left in majority of the patients. Psychopathology was seen in 70 (46%) patients with mental retardation, hyperkinetic disorders affecting attention and activity and oppositional defiant disorder, and unspecified mental disorder due to underlying brain damage being the type of International Classification of Disease-10th Revision (ICD-10) disorders seen. Patients with psychopathology showed a left-sided predominance on their MRI and VEEG findings for laterality of the epileptogenic focus as compared with right side. Conclusion Refractory seizures and associated psychopathology impact family life, friendships, and academics and worsen prognosis and quality of life. Screening for psychopathology in children with epilepsy would therefore lead to better outcomes especially prior to epilepsy surgery.