Medscape: Suicidal thoughts in kids with epilepsy

Children with epilepsy with no previous psychiatric diagnosis have alarmingly high rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, new research suggests.

In a study led by researchers at Cleveland Clinic, researchers found that in more than 100 pediatric patients with the disorder, more than 40% had depression, 30% had anxiety and about 1 in 10 exhibited signs of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Michael Privitera, MD, professor in the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine at the UC College of Medicine, director of the Epilepsy Center at the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and a UC Health physician, weighed in, noting that the findings in the study reinforce that, as with adults, depression and anxiety are common in children with epilepsy.

"Neurologists should take advantage of the many psychiatric screening tools available to identify these problems in their pediatric and adult patients," he said.

Read the full Medscape story. This link may require free registration.

Featured photo courtesy of Unsplash.