Child psychopathology and oxidative stress in newly diagnosed children with epilepsy

Accumulating evidence supports the hypothesis that epilepsy is mediated by oxidative stress, studies about psycho- pathology in children indicates that children with epilepsy are at increased risk for psychopathology, including internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. The aim of the work is to study the child psychopathology and the level of oxidative stress in newly diagnosed children with epilepsy. Eighty-four newly diagnosed children with epilepsy with their ages ranging from 4 yr to 17 yr (mean 8.62 ± 3.79 yr) and 42 age and sex matched healthy control children were recruited. All cases are subject to full neurologic assessment, child behavioral checklist, and measurement of the levels of oxidative stress enzymes. Anxiety with- drawal, psychotic behavior and motor excess hyperactivity are statistically significantlty more in children with newly diagnosed epilepsy (P < 0.05). There were high level of malondialdehyde and nitrite while the level of both glutathione peroxidase, su- peroxide dismutase and catalase were low for newly diagnosed children with epilepsy versus control (P = 0.000). The state of imbalance of oxidative stress enzymes has important role in seizure development and also associated psychopathology. Long-term follow up studies are needed for child psychopathology and oxidative stress in epileptic children.