METHODS: We evaluated EF in children aged 8 to 17 years born to mothers with clinically validated diagnoses of epilepsy, using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function completed by the mothers. The results were then compared to a typically developing control group at the same age living in the same geographic area.
RESULTS: The results showed significantly higher levels of EF problems in children of mothers with epilepsy who were exposed (p = 0.005, d = 0.63), and unexposed (p = 0.001, d = 0.74) to anti-seizure medications during pregnancy, compared to typically developing children. There was no significant difference in EF problems between the exposed and unexposed groups. These findings remained statistically significant after adjusting for mothers\' education levels, and when excluding participants exposed to valproate during pregnancy.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the increased risk of EF problems in children of mothers with epilepsy, independent of exposure to anti-seizure medications. Findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring of EF in these children and highlights the need for further research into the diverse factors affecting EF development in this group.
方法:我们评估了8至17岁儿童的EF值,这些儿童的母亲在临床上诊断为癫痫。使用母亲完成的执行功能行为评级清单。然后将结果与生活在相同地理区域的相同年龄的典型发展中的对照组进行比较。
结果:结果显示,暴露于癫痫的母亲的孩子的EF问题水平明显更高(p=0.005,d=0.63),并且在怀孕期间未暴露于抗癫痫药物(p=0.001,d=0.74),与通常发育中的儿童相比。暴露组和未暴露组之间的EF问题没有显着差异。这些发现在调整母亲的教育水平后仍然具有统计学意义,并排除在怀孕期间接触丙戊酸盐的参与者。
结论:这项研究强调了癫痫母亲的儿童发生EF问题的风险增加,独立于接触抗癫痫药物。研究结果强调了在这些儿童中持续监测EF的重要性,并强调需要进一步研究影响该组EF发展的多种因素。