Epilepsy and Developmental Delay

Table of Contents

Page

Introduction………...……………………………………………………………………..……...3

Pediatric Epilepsy……………………………………………………………………...………...3

Classifications of Developmental Delay……………………..………….....................................4

The Association of Pediatric Epilepsy with Developmental Delay……....................................5

Effects of Pediatric Epilepsy and Developmental Delay……………………...….....................6

Conclusion……..…………………………………………….…………………………………...7

Definition of Terms……….……………………………………………………………………...9

References……………………………………………………………………………………….10

Introduction

With ever-increasing cases of pediatric epilepsy, studies detailing the etiology of epilepsy and its association with developmental delay are progressively more relevant and important. Though this correlation has been previously acknowledged and studied, there is a lack of research to provide indication as to whether the epilepsy caused the delay, both the epilepsy and delay were caused by the same factor, such as a brain abnormality, or the epilepsy exacerbated the delay. If we were better able to understand the relationship between pediatric epilepsy and developmental delay, more effective treatments for both these conditions may be discovered.

Pediatric Epilepsy

Pediatric epilepsy is an overarching diagnosis that encompasses several types of seizures, and children with epilepsy may experience a specific singular type or multiple types of seizures. Children with congenital brain malformations, a family history of epilepsy, or neonatal seizures are at a higher risk for developing epilepsy. Approximately a quarter of children who exhibit recurring seizures, with the exception of neonatal seizures and infantile spasms, during their first year of ...

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...egories of eligibility appendix (h): significant developmental delay (SDD) Atlanta, Georgia: Retrieved from http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/DMGetDocument.aspx/SDD_Rules_and_Regulations.pdf?p=6CC6799F8C1371F641AB3A546FF0E82D326518E920C90484578800E399541276&Type=D

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Waaler, P. E., Blom, B. H., Skeidsvoll, H., & Mykletun, A. (2000). Prevalence, classification, and severity of epilepsy in children in western norway. Epilepsia, 41(7)

Yuan, W., Szaflarski, J. P., Schmithorst, V. J., Schapiro, M., Byars, A. W., Strawsburg, R. H., & Holland, S.K. (2006). fMRI shows atypical language lateralization in pediatric epilepsy patients. Epilepsia, 47(3)