Features and relevant factors concerning the ecological executive function of children with idiopathic or cryptogenic epilepsy

Abstract

Objective To explore features and relevant factors about the ecological executive function of children with idiopathic or cryptogenic epilepsy. Methods 50 children with idiopathic or cryptogenic epilepsy against were compared with 50 normal ones of the same gender, age group and educational level. All the subjects' parents completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function(BRIEF). Results The scores of children with idiopathic or cryptogenic epilepsy in global executive composite(GEC), behavioral regulation index(BRI) and metacognition index(MI) of BRIEF(respectively, 55.12±10.49, 53.74±10.35, 56.60±10.99) were significantly higher than those of the control group(respectively, 48.10±6.35, 47.18±5.84, 48.16±6.23)(P<0.01). Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that 4 clinical features namely seizure type, gender, age and epilepsy control were closely related to BRIEF while factors such as educational level, outbreak age, course of disease, family history and antiepileptic drugs were not relevant to BRIEF. Conclusion The ecological executive function of children with idiopathic or cryptogenic epilepsy faulty and is affected by seizure type, gender, age, epilepsy control. Key words: Epilepsy; Executive function; Children; Ecological; Cross-sectional studies