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Neuropediatrics
DOI: 10.1055/a-2686-0818
Original Article

Quality of Life of Children and Adolescents with Epilepsy Compared to Their Healthy Peers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

  • Robert Opitz

    1   Division of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Medicine and Social Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany

  • Miriam Gerstner

    1   Division of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Medicine and Social Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany

  • Lena Mühe

    1   Division of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Medicine and Social Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany

  • Malin Zaddach 

    1   Division of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Medicine and Social Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany

  • Leonie Grosse 

    1   Division of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Medicine and Social Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany

  • Katharina Vill 

    1   Division of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Medicine and Social Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany

  • Astrid Bertsche 

    2   Department of Neuropaediatrics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
    3   German Center for Child and Adolescent Health (DZKJ), Partner Site Greifswald/Rostock, Greifswald, Germany

  • Ingo Borggraefe 

    1   Division of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Medicine and Social Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany
    4   Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany

Funding Information None.
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Abstract

Objective

Epilepsy significantly impacts the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children and adolescents (CaA). This study aimed to assess HRQoL in pediatric epilepsy patients compared to their healthy peers, using both self- and proxy-reports, and to identify specific HRQoL domains affected by epilepsy.

Methods

A single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted in Munich between October 2021 and June 2023. HRQoL was assessed in 139 patients aged 3 to 17 years with medically diagnosed epilepsy using age-adapted, validated KINDL© questionnaires, completed by the patients and one caregiver. The questionnaire comprised six subscales: “Physical Well-being,” “Emotional Well-being,” “Self-Esteem,” “Family,” “Friends,” and “Everyday Functioning.” Control values from healthy CaA aged 7 to 17 were drawn from the BELLA and KiGGS studies. Welch tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for statistical comparisons.

Results

Compared to their healthy peers, CaA with epilepsy reported significantly lower HRQoL overall, particularly in the subscales “Physical Well-being,” “Emotional Well-being,” and “Friends.” No significant differences were observed in the “Family” subscale. Interestingly, self-reports revealed a trend toward higher “Self-Esteem” scores among CaA with epilepsy, though this did not reach statistical significance. No significant differences emerged between self- and proxy-reported total HRQoL scores.

Significance

Epilepsy in CaA is associated with reduced HRQoL, especially in physical, emotional, and social domains. Stable family support can cushion some negative effects. In particular, the unexpectedly high results in the area of self-confidence should be the subject of future research.

Keywords

epilepsy - children - adolescents - quality of life - self-esteem - normal population

Ethical Approval

The study protocols (#21-0887) were confirmed by the local ethical board of the Medical Faculty of the University of Munich.


Data Availability Statement

The data substantiating the results of this study are available on reasonable request from the corresponding author.


Note

This work has never been presented at a meeting.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 28 May 2025

Accepted: 18 August 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
19 August 2025

Article published online:
04 September 2025

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