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Psychosocial functioning following surgical treatment for intractable epilepsy in childhood

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Abstract

Methods

Psychosocial functioning was examined in 13 children who had undergone surgical treatment for intractable epilepsy. The ratings of each child's social, emotional and behavioural problems were obtained via parent and teacher reports made an average of 2 years post-operatively.

Results

Parents viewed their children as having greater social difficulties than reported in standardisation samples. Although the overall level of difficulty fell below clinically significant cut-offs, the proportion of children who were rated as having clinically significant levels of difficulties approached significance. Teachers rated these children as displaying more symptoms of anxiety and depression, although the levels remained subclinical.

Discussion

These results are discussed in view of the complex interaction between neurological and environmental variables involved in social-emotional functioning following surgical treatment for epilepsy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Discipline of Psychology, Child Development Service, Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre, 395 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L2, Canada

    Yolanda G. Korneluk

  2. Discipline of Psychology, Mental Health Patient Service Unit, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L1, Canada

    Sally M. Kuehn

  3. Division of Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L1, Canada

    Daniel L. Keene

  4. Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L1, Canada

    Enrique C. G. Ventureyra

Authors
  1. Yolanda G. Korneluk
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  2. Sally M. Kuehn
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  3. Daniel L. Keene
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  4. Enrique C. G. Ventureyra
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sally M. Kuehn.

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Korneluk, Y.G., Kuehn, S.M., Keene, D.L. et al. Psychosocial functioning following surgical treatment for intractable epilepsy in childhood. Childs Nerv Syst 19, 179–182 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-003-0723-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-003-0723-3

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