Neuropsychological Deficits in Children With Seizure Disorders in Ghana: A Study At Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

ABSTRACT

 The aim of the study was to determine the cognitive and neuropsychological deficits associated with seizure disorders. The study also examined the effects of age at onset, socio-economic status, compliance with medication and sex of the patient. Seventy two patients visiting the neurological clinic at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and a healthy control group from West African Basic School were sampled for the study. Analysis was done using Pearson correlation and the ANOVA. Findings of the study indicated higher deficits in language skills, attention skills, executive functioning, anxiety and depression among seizure patients compared to healthy control group. There was no significant difference in memory and academic achievement among seizure patients and healthy control. Sex of seizure patients did not have any significant influence on language skills, attention skills, memory, executive functioning, academic achievement, depression and anxiety. Lower socioeconomic status was found to be associated with memory deficits and academic underachievement among seizure patients. Early age of diagnosis was found to be associated with higher deficits in language skills, attention skills and executive functioning. Finally, medication compliance was found to decrease deficits associated with academic performance, attention, language skills, memory skills, executive functions and anxiety among seizure patients. Findings suggest that though seizure is associated with higher neurocognitive deficits, socioeconomic factors improved the outcome of seizure patient's memory and academic achievement.