Factors influencing the academic performance of school children with epilepsy.

Full Abstract

The academic performance and intelligence quotient (IQ) of 50 children with epilepsy aged between 5 and 14 years, attending normal primary schools in Enugu, were compared with those of their non-epileptic classmates. The academic performance was assessed using the overall scores achieved in terminal examinations in the 2001-2002 academic year. IQ was assessed using the Draw-A-person Test. The influences of school absence rate, Rutter behavioural scores, socio-economic status and seizure-related variables on academic performance were then determined. Twenty-six percent of the children with epilepsy had a low overall score, and therefore poor academic performance, compared with 16% of the controls (p = 0.35). The mean IQ of the children with epilepsy was significantly lower than that of the controls (p = 0.02). The mean school absence rate for the children with epilepsy was significantly higher than that of the controls (p = 0.001). The mean Rutter score of the children with epilepsy was significantly higher than that for the controls (p < 0.001). On multiple linear regression analysis, only IQ (p = 0.01) and seizure type (p = 0.03) had significant predictive effects as risk factors for low overall scores and poor academic performance. It is concluded that the academic performance of epileptic children is influenced by their IQ and type of seizures rather than by other seizure variables or socio-demographic characteristics.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Ibekwe, R C (RC); Ojinnaka, N C (NC); Iloeje, S O (SO);

Affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Ebonyi State University, Abakiliki, Nigeria. roland_ibekwe@yahoo.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of tropical pediatrics (J Trop Pediatr), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Oct; vol 53 (issue 5) : pp 338-43

Dates: Created 2007/11/06; Completed 2008/03/19;

PMID: 17596293, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

School performance of Nigerian adolescents with epilepsy. 30 Jan 2006
Factors associated with academic achievement in children with recent-onset seizures. 29 Jun 2005
Academic achievement in children with epilepsy or asthma. 30 Mar 1998
Executive functions and seizure-related factors in children with epilepsy in Western Norway. 30 May 2006
The influence of classroom peers on cognitive performance in children with behavioural problems. 27 Feb 1999
Teachers' ratings of the academic performance of children with epilepsy. 24 Feb 2007
Academic performance in children with new-onset seizures and asthma: a prospective study. 10 Feb 2007
Seizure impact on the school attendance in children with epilepsy. 19 Jun 2007
The frequency, complications and aetiology of ADHD in new onset paediatric epilepsy. 16 Oct 2007
Children with new-onset epilepsy: neuropsychological status and brain structure. 21 Aug 2006

See 100+ related articles.