Neuropsychological Deficits in Children with Epilepsy in Ghana: A Study at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Epilepsy may be associated with a wide range of neuropsychological deficits. The study examined the neuropsychological deficits (language skills, attention skills and executive functioning) associated with epileptic children. The role of medication compliance on the neuropsychological deficits was also assessed. Seventy-two participants consisting of 36 epileptic patients visited the neurological clinic at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (children’s department) and 36 healthy control group from West African Basic School were selected to complete the Digit Span Tasks, Kilifi Naming Test (KNT), Trail Making Test (TMT) and the Morisky 8-Item Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). An analysis was done using Pearson correlation and the MANOVA. Findings of the study indicated higher deficits in language skills, attention skills and executive functioning among epileptic patients compared to healthy control group. Medication compliance was found to enhance the deficiencies associated with attention, language skills, and executive functions among epileptic patients. Findings suggest that though epilepsy (seizure) is associated with higher neuropsychological deficits, compliance with medication decreases the deficiencies associated with epilepsy.