Features of developmental coordination disorder in active childhood epilepsy: a population‐based study. (16th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reilly, Colin; Atkinson, Patricia; Das, Krishna B; Chin, Richard F; Aylett, Sarah E; Burch, Victoria; Gillberg, Christopher; Scott, Rod C; Neville, Brian G R
• Is Part Of: Developmental medicine & child neurology. Volume 57:Number 9(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 829
• Page End: 834
• Publication Date: 2015-04-16
• Subjects: Child development -- Periodicals; Pediatric neurology -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.12763
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0012-1622

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="dmcn12763-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="dmcn12763-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aims</title> <p>To provide data on parent‐reported features of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and describe neurobehavioural comorbidity in children with epilepsy and DCD.</p> </sec> <sec id="dmcn12763-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>Eighty‐five (74% of those eligible) children (44 males, 41 females; age range 5–15y) with active childhood epilepsy (an epileptic seizure in the last year and/or currently taking antiepileptic drugs) in a population‐based cohort underwent comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment. The DCD Questionnaire (DCD‐Q) was completed by parents (<italic>n</italic>=69) of children with an IQ>34, of whom 56 did not have cerebral palsy (CP), and were considered for a diagnosis of DCD.</p> </sec> <sec id="dmcn12763-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Of those considered for a DCD diagnosis, 16 (29%) met DSM‐IV‐TR criteria whereas 34 (61%) scored in the at‐risk range on the DCD‐Q. The sensitivity of the DCD‐Q was 100% (95% CI 76–100) and specificity was 55% (95% CI 39–70). Significant predictors of higher scores on the DCD‐Q included the presence of autism spectrum disorder, CP, and early seizure onset. Increasing age and IQ were independently associated with higher DCD‐Q scores. Intellectual disability, attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder, academic underachievement, and specific memory problems were the most common neurobehavioural difficulties in those with both DCD and epilepsy.</p> </sec> <sec id="dmcn12763-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Interpretation</title> <p>Parent‐reported symptoms of DCD are very common in childhood epilepsy. The DCD‐Q has good sensitivity but lower specificity in this population.</p> </sec> </abstract>