Abstract
Many studies have reported behavioral disturbances in children suffering from convulsive disorders, but there are conflicting data concerning the real incidence of this problem in the pediatric age group. In order to evaluate the effects on behaviour of some anti-epileptic drugs, we studied 300 children treated with phenobarbital and other drugs; their age ranged from 3.1 months to 15.9 years. The children were divided into two groups: group A: 197 (116 male and 81 female) children, mean age ±SD 5.3±2,8 years, treated with phenobarbital; group B: 103 (66 male and 37 female) children, mean age 6.4 ±3.1 years, treated with anti-epileptic drugs other than phenobarbital. In all patients hyperactivity, irritability, disturbances of sleep, and drowsiness were investigated. The parents of patients completed a questionnaire with seven items. In group A, 150 (76.1%) children showed one or more behaviour disturbances, while in group B a smaller number of patients 32 (31%) had such disorders. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.0001). The most frequent disorder was hyperactivity. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that anti-epileptic drugs, in particular phenobarbital, can cause behaviour disturbances and we can underline the importance of careful evaluation of the risk/benefit ratio of these drugs.
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Domzio, S., Fontebasso, P., Verrotti, A. et al. 380 Anti-epileptic therapy and behaviour disturbances in children. Pediatr Res 36, 66 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199407000-00380
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199407000-00380