Purpose: The developmental history is an important element in the evaluation of children with epilepsy. However, obtaining accurate information from history is often very difficult especially in older children because of their parents’ incomplete recollection. This study was aimed to investigate if the timing of independent walking has a valuable clinical significance in children with epilepsy.
Methods: We classified 262 patients with epilepsy into normal and delayed groups from a history of the timing of independent walking at 18 months as a cutoff point. We compared their clinical and laboratory characteristics between two groups.
Results: Out of 262 patients, twenty one (8%) were delayed. There was no difference in seizure types between two groups. The Age of seizure onset and diagnosis of epilepsy was earlier in delayed group (5.6:2.2 years, P<0.001; 7.0:3.2 years, P<0.001). The proportion of Cesarean section and preterm delivery were also higher in delayed group (25%:52%, P= 0.010; 6%:29%, P<0.001). Abnormal MRI findings were more frequent in the delayed group (19%:86%, P<0.001). EEG at diagnosis showed no difference in epileptiform discharges, but background abnormality was more common in the delayed group (15%:81%, P<0.001). EEG at 1 year after the diagnosis showed both epileptiform discharges and background abnormality were more frequent in the delayed group (60%:90%, P=0.004; 14%:67%, P<0.001).
Conclusion: Based on the result of this study, we strongly recommended that we should take a history of the timing of independent walking in children and adolescents with epilepsy.
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