Optimizing therapy of seizures in children and adolescents with developmental disabilities.

Abstract

Children and adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and epilepsy are a unique patient population that offers significant challenges. They are more likely to suffer lifelong intractable epilepsy with multiple seizure types than other patients with epilepsy. In addition, these patients often cannot clearly express their complaints about antiepileptic drug (AED) side effects, and the caregiver's role becomes all-important as an advocate for the patient. Finally, behavioral and psychiatric comorbidities are common and need to be considered when choosing an AED in this patient population. Our society will be judged by how we care for the most unfortunate among us.