Study aims were to describe the development and validation of a Pediatric Epilepsy Medication Self-Management Questionnaire (PEMSQ) for caregivers of children 2–14 years. It was expected that PEMSQ scales would have 1) internally consistent factors and 2) moderate associations with adherence and seizures. Participants included caregivers of 119 children with epilepsy (Mage=7.2yrs, 36% female, 72% Caucasian) who completed the PEMSQ, demographics questionnaire, and AED adherence was assessed (e.g., electronic monitors, self-report). Factor analysis was conducted and internal consistency and construct validity were assessed. The final PEMSQ is 27-items with four scales (Epilepsy and Treatment Knowledge and Expectations, Adherence to Medications and Clinic Appointments, Barriers to Medication Adherence, and Beliefs about Medication Efficacy) accounting for 88% variance. Cronbach’s alphas ranged from 0.68–0.85. Significant associations were found between PEMSQ scales, adherence, and seizures. The PEMSQ represents the first self-management measure validated for caregivers of children with epilepsy, with clinical and research utility.

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Summary Purpose:  Both a single seizure and chronic recurrent seizures (epilepsy) occur commonly in childhood. Although several studies have documented the impact of pediatric epilepsy on psychosocial functioning, such as health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), no studies have examined the impact of a single seizure on HRQOL. The primary objectives of this study were: (1) to compare parent–proxy HRQOL in children with a single seizure and newly diagnosed untreated epilepsy to normative data and (2) to examine differences in parent–proxy HRQOL between children with single seizure and newly diagnosed untreated epilepsy. Methods:  A retrospective medical chart review was conducted on a consecutive cohort of children being evaluated for seizures at a New‐Onset Seizure Disorder Clinic. Information from the medical chart review included demographic data, seizure information, and the parent–proxy Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), a well‐validated measure of HRQOL in pediatric chronic illnesses. Results:  Participants included 109 children (n = 53 single seizure; n = 56 newly diagnosed untreated epilepsy). Results indicated that both children with a single seizure and children with newly diagnosed untreated epilepsy had significant impairments in HRQOL compared to normative data. However, no significant HRQOL differences were found between the single seizure and the untreated epilepsy groups. Discussion:  Children diagnosed with a single seizure or epilepsy have similar clinically significant impairments in HRQOL. Evaluation of HRQOL, even after a first seizure, is important and will identify children at risk at the earliest opportunity, allowing for timely psychosocial intervention.

Objectives-Sparse information on dose-response characteristics for initial antiepileptic drug monotherapy in children with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) is available. The aim of this study is to characterize the therapeutic dose of valproate in children with newly diagnosed IGE.Materials and methods-Effect of initial valproate monotherapy and doses associated with seizure freedom were examined in consecutive children with IGE identified from a New Onset Seizure Clinic.Results-Of 84 patients identified, 48 (57%) became seizure-free on valproate monotherapy and another 10 patients became seizure-free but discontinued VPA because of adverse effects. The mean dose in seizure-free children was 15.7 mg/kg/day and over 95% of IGE patients will respond below 25 mg/kg/day.Conclusions-Half of children became seizure-free on valproate monotherapy and did so at modest doses.

traveled by airplane if the distance between their home institution and ours exceeded 300 miles [1,2]. To estimate the CO 2 emissions for each speaker's air-travel [1, 3], we used the Carbon Footprint Calculator [4] and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Carbon Emissions Calculator [5]. Emissions are presented in metric tons (mTon). ResultsOf the 101 MGR during the observation period, 60 were by external speakers (n = 29 in-person; n = 31 virtual). Due to proximity to our institution, 6 speakers (n = 1 inperson, n = 5 virtual) were excluded. Also excluded were 2 virtual speakers whose home institutions were so distant (Johannesburg South Africa and Paris France) that it is unlikely that they would have traveled to our medical center solely to give MGR. The distance between institutions was 879 ± 553 miles for in-person speakers and 774 ± 373 miles for virtual speakers (p = 0.94; Mann-Whitney test). Using the ICAO calculator, in-person speakers generated a total of 8.6 mTon of CO 2 emissions and virtual speakers would have generated 9.1 mTon. The Carbon Footprint Calculator estimated total CO 2 emissions of in-person speakers as 11.7 mTon and that of virtual speakers, had they traveled to give their MGR inperson, as 11.1 mTon.