Epilepsy & Treatment

Biography

Biography: Yevhen Tantsura

Abstract

Statement of the Problem: Childhood epilepsy is one of the most common diseases of the CNS. From the point of view of optimizing care for children with epilepsy and their families during and after the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, very important is not only the high frequency and severity of the pathology, but also its social consequences - stigmatization, some isolation of the child in many cases and economic aspects, due to the need for long-term, continuous use of antiepileptic drugs.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: In view of the above, the aim of the study was to identify the most significant and acute problems of families and patients associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. An electronic version of a specially designed questionnaire for parents (guardians) of children with epilepsy was used to gather information.   Information was collected on 133 families with children with epilepsy aged from 3 months to 18 years, 55.6% of the group was boys and 44.4% were girls. In 95.5% of cases, the questionnaire was completed by the patient's mother.  COVID-19 was diagnosed in 1 child with epilepsy, and no cases of the disease were reported in either parents or other relatives. 36.1% of families are still in quarantine, 15% have already returned to normal life, 48.9% of families according to the survey were not in quarantine. We noted that the impact of the crisis caused by COVID-19 is most significant in terms of financial condition of families - 48.1%, psychological climate - 24.1%, household and organizational issues - 24.8%. Deterioration of the financial condition of families was noted by 64.7% of respondents. 

Conclusion & Significance: The results showed that the most significant for the families of children with epilepsy during the COVID-19 pandemic are financial problems and issues of ensuring continuous use of antiepileptic drugs.