Summary:Cognitive and behavioral impairments are found more often among epileptic children than among their peers. The cause of these impairments is multifactorial. Identifying the relative contribution of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) to these problems has been the object of a large number of clinical investigations. This area of research has been characterized by an unusually high number of methodological challenges and pitfalls. Accordingly, results have often been inconsistent and contradictory, except for the more obvious observations that can be derived from clinical experience. Overall, the effects of AEDs on cognition and behavior in children have been overrated in the past. More recent research has benefited from the methodological lessons of previous studies and it suggests that the majority of children taking AEDs do not experience clinically relevant cognitive of behavioral adverse effects from these medications. In addition, some of the newer AEDs may indeed have a better cognitive profile. Nevertheless, clinical experience must be used to identify the subgroup of children who remain at risk for significant and clinically relevant cognitive and behavioral adverse effects of AEDs. Key Words: Epilepsy-Childhood-Antiepileptic drugs-IntelligenceBehavior.Among children and adolescents with epilepsy, the prevalence of cognitive and behavioral disorders is higher than among their nonepileptic peers. There are multiple underlying causes of these cognitive and behavioral abnormalities and they include factors related to the etiology of the epilepsy, ongoing seizure activity, genetics, and treatment, as well as psychosocial issues. It is often difficult to determine the relative contribution of any given factor. This complex interrelation has been the object of several reviews (1-10). Trying to assess the effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on learning and behavior in patients with epilepsy has revealed itself as being a considerable methodological challenge. The intent of the present review of these effects of AEDs in children with epilepsy is to go beyond an analysis of published neuropsychological investigations and to view the problem from the perspective of its practical relevance and of conventional wisdom in the clinical practice of pediatric epileptology. this area? (a) Undoubtedly, within a clinical practice, one will notice that a disproportionate percentage of children with epilepsy have learning and behavioral problems. Sometimes, based on their time course, these problems can be attributed to antiepileptic medication, but more often the relationship is blurred or nonexistent and problems precede the introduction of the very first AED. (b) Parents of children whose AEDs are temporarily discontinued for the purpose of presurgical monitoring are at times amazed at how much more alert and more responsive their child has suddenly become. (c) However, the same observation is reported by parents of children who have become seizure-free following epilepsy surgery, but whose AED regimen is exactly the same...