Table 2.
Characteristics of children with epilepsy and their families according to allocation to antiepilepsy drug (54 children in each group): details of seizures and other problems. Figures are numbers of children unless stated otherwise
| Phenobarbital | Carbamazepine | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classification of seizures: | |||
| Generalised | 29 | 22 | 51 |
| Partial | 25 | 32 | 57 |
| Aetiological classification: | |||
| Without other impairment | 40 | 31 | 71 |
| Symptomatic* | 14 | 23 | 37 |
| Duration of seizures before start of regular drug treatment (years): | |||
| 1 | 27 | 23 | 50 |
| >1-2 | 16 | 13 | 29 |
| >2-3 | 5 | 8 | 13 |
| >3-5 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| >5 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| Median (IQR) (months) | 13 (3-25) | 16 (4.5-30) | 15 (3-30) |
| Baseline mean behavioural scores (95% CI): | |||
| BSID | 100.00 (72.99 to 127.11) | 109.33 (84.20 to 134.46) | — |
| Richman | 31.17 (20.00 to 31.44) | 31.58 (21.64 to 40.52) | — |
| CPRS-R:S | 61.33 (55.05 to 73.10) | 57.39 (51.57 to 63.21) | — |
| No of seizures in previous year: | |||
| <10 | 18 | 21 | 39 |
| 10-20 | 15 | 15 | 30 |
| >20 | 21 | 18 | 39 |
| Previous treatment with antiepilepsy drug: | |||
| No | 42 | 40 | 82 |
| Yes | 12 | 14 | 26 |
| Motor impairment: | |||
| Absent | 45 | 45 | 90 |
| Present | 9 | 9 | 18 |
| Cognitive impairment: | |||
| Absent | 37 | 37 | 74 |
| Present | 17 | 17 | 34 |
| Pre-existing behavioural problems: | |||
| Absent | 43 | 43 | 86 |
| Present | 11 | 11 | 22 |
IQR=interquartile range; BSID=Bayley scale of infant development; CPRS-R:S=Conners' rating scales-revised.
*Includes cryptogenic.