Figure 2 Neuropsychological factor scores by antiepileptic drug (AED) use, multiple seizures, and epileptiform activity on initial EEG

Among children who had a seizure, children who were prescribed AEDs (n = 141) scored lower than those who were unmedicated (n = 140) on processing speed (p = 0.001), language (p = 0.04), and verbal memory and learning (p = 0.05), even in children who had had only one seizure and in children without epileptiform activity on EEG. Children who had 2 or more seizures before baseline interview (n = 187) had lower scores compared to children with only one seizure (n = 95) on attention/executive/construction (p = 0.03), even in children who were unmedicated. Children who exhibited epileptiform activity on the initial EEG (present group, n = 173) scored lower than those without epileptiform activity (absent group, n = 107) on the processing speed factor (p = 0.004, d = 0.31), even in children who were unmedicated.