Epilepsia refratária: repercussões na qualidade de vida da criança e de seu cuidador

INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is a neurological condition with recurrent crises which increases the risk of developing psychosocial problems, restrictions and damages in the quality of life (QL) of children and their relatives. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the QL of both children with medically refractory epilepsy and their caretakers. METHODS: Hypothetical, deductive, observational, transversal study. The evaluations were based on QL questionnaires (AUQEI, WHOQOL-bref) and Wechsler intelligence scales (WAIS-III e WISC-III). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A child with refractory epilepsy has a lower QL (average of 47.25). The child’s caretaker has a satisfactory QL (average of 83.41).