Social outcome of childhood epilepsy: associations and mechanisms

Children with epilepsy may have serious social and academic problems. It appears simplistic to ascribe these problems to the seizures, medication, or accompanying cognitive deficits. Medications and seizures appear to play a minor role. Accompanying cognitive deficits may have a major effect on behavior and academic function. However, it is likely that the dominant influences for most children with epilepsy are from family, socioeconomic, and cultural factors.