Symptom Differences in Children with Absence Seizures Versus Inattention
Abstract number :
1.162
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
2820
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
G.B. Sharp, MD, Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR; E. DelosReyes, MD, Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR; S. Bates, MD, Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, L
RATIONALE: Children with absence seizures are frequently misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Inattentive Type, due to similarities in symptom presentation. The purpose of this study was to determine symptoms that would distinguish between children with absence seizures and those with ADHD, Inattentive Type.
METHODS: Parents of children with absence seizures (n = 17) or ADHD, Inattentive Type (n = 26) were administered the Attention Deficit Disorder Evaluation Scale-Home Version (ADDES-HV) at the time of diagnosis. This instrument contains an Inattentive Scale and a Hyperactive/Impulsive Scale with mean scores of 10 [plusminus] 3. Scores below 6 are considered to be within the clinically significant range.
RESULTS: Mean scores on the Inattentive Scale for children with ADHD, Inattentive Type (mean = 4.42) were significantly lower (p [lt] .0003) than for children with absence seizures (mean = 8.3). There were no significant differences between the groups on the Hyperactive/Impulsive Scale. A statistical model was developed based on age, gender, race, and items from the Inattentive Scale of the ADDES-HV. Results indicated that a combination of Item 13 [dsquote]Does not complete homework[dsquote] and Item 15 [dsquote]Does not remain on task[dsquote] correctly classified 40/43 of the children. Of the children with ADHD, Inattentive Type, 25/26 were rated by their parents as demonstrating a high frequency of these behaviors, while 15/17 of the children with absence seizures were perceived as having a low rate of occurrence of these behaviors.
CONCLUSIONS: This study would suggest that including questions concerning the child[ssquote]s task persistence and off-task behavior may aid in establishing a differential diagnosis. In contrast to other behaviors that appear similar in these two groups, lack of sustained attention appears to effectively distinguish between these disorders.