Abstracts

Rationale: Seizures are common neurologic disorder in childhood. ADHD is also a common neuropsychological disorder. Both conditions require prolonged pharmacological therapies and have significant comorbidites such as depression and mood changes, resulting in poor quality of life. Children with seizures and ADHD may have significant impairment of sense of well being that should be recognized promptly. Methods: This is a prospective study of children in a neurology clinic with controls from a general pediatric clinic of a teaching hospital. Total of 20 children each of epilepsy, ADHD and controls, ages 8-18, using scales: The Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale, The Satisfaction of Life Scale and NICHQ Children Vanderbilt Assessment Scale. Results: 89% of children with epilepsy were on anti-epilepsy drugs, 76% of ADHD children were on psycho stimulants, half of these children had grades of B average. 15% of children with seizure, 19% with ADHD, 10% of control showed possible depression by The Mood and Feeling Scales. The Satisfaction with Life Scales showed 9.5% of ADHD, 11% of seizure and 0% control felt their lives were below average or dissatisfied. Conclusions: This showed great resilience, however family interaction, counseling, education, self-empowerment and medication can improve life.