CORRELATION BETWEEN EPILEPTIC SEIZURES AND SPEECH DISORDERS IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Epilepsy is a common cause of cognitive dysfunction in children. Early diagnosis of epilepsy can prevent irreversible organic changes in the cerebral cortex and is important for early and effective correction of cognitive impairment. Speech impairments that are common in patients with epilepsy are the result of epileptic seizures and neuronal destruction in the corresponding brain areas: the sylvian sulcus, Wernicke's area, and Broca's area. In recent years, molecular biology research has identified a correlation between gene mutations, epilepsy and speech disorders. The topic of early diagnosis of speech disorders for the purpose of effective correction at the verbal level remains relevant. Speech development is key to the development of a child's intelligence and thinking. Impaired speech function in children is the cause of reduced intelligence, thinking and socialisation. The aim of our literature review was to consider the relationship between epileptic seizures and the formation of speech disorders, as well as to search for test methods for assessing cognitive functions. Overview of the main material. Age is important in the assessment of speech impairment in patients with epilepsy, as it affects the formation of speech function in combination with intellectual disability. The first epileptic seizures in children of the first year of life are accompanied by speech dysfunction and mental retardation. In older children, from 7 to 14 years old, epilepsy causes changes in speech function without lagging behind in intellectual development. Experts attribute this to the peculiarities of the maturation of the relevant parts of the cerebral cortex. In the first year, there is active growth with active synaptogenesis and development of associative pathways, especially in the temporoparietal-occipital region. The most common forms of epilepsy in children of this age are rolandic epilepsy, which causes acquired encephalopathy and manifests itself in cognitive impairment with speech disorders. Landau-Kleffner syndrome is characterised by epileptic patterns during slow wave sleep and is a symptom complex of epilepsy-aphasia along with rolandic epilepsy. It is important to diagnose the speech function in children with epilepsy, taking into account that during and after an epileptic seizure, speech disorders occur. Conclusions. Early diagnosis of epilepsy and speech disorders in a child is important for effective treatment, early correction and prevention of cognitive deficit.