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Epilepsy and Intellectual Disabilities pp 181–191Cite as

Associated Physical Problems of Epilepsy in Intellectual Disabilities

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It is well documented that people with intellectual disabilities (ID) have an excess prevalence of epilepsy. Various studies have reported a wide range of prevalence of epilepsy from between 14% and 44% for patients with an ID1 compared to less than 1% in the population as a whole.2 The risk of epilepsy in people with an ID is associated with both the severity of ID3 and the specific underlying etiologies of ID, such as Down’s syndrome (DS)4 and cerebral palsy.5 Consequently, there is the likelihood that patients with ID and with epilepsy will have increased physical health issues associated with this increased severity and type of ID, in addition to those physical morbidities and events associated with epilepsy, such as fractures and trauma and the side effects of antiepileptic medication.

The aim of this chapter is to highlight those conditions which are particularly relevant to patients with both ID and epilepsy. In particular it focuses upon those events and morbidities associated with epilepsy, such as injuries resulting from falls, burns, and drowning. As with many other areas of research into epilepsy within the context of the ID population, the specific literature is relatively scarce, with the result that extrapolations must be made from the general population with epilepsy.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pyschology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales

    C. L. Morgan BA, MSc, DFPH

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  1. C. L. Morgan BA, MSc, DFPH
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Liverpool John Moore University and South Birmingham PCT, c/o Greenfields, Monyhull, Kings Norton, Birmingham, UK

    Vee P. Prasher MBChB, MRCPsych, MMedSc, MD, PhD, F.IASSID

  2. Welsh Centre for Learning Disabilities, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales UK

    Mike P. Kerr MBChB, MRCPsych, MSc, MPhil, F.IASSID

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Morgan, C.L. (2008). Associated Physical Problems of Epilepsy in Intellectual Disabilities. In: Prasher, V.P., Kerr, M.P. (eds) Epilepsy and Intellectual Disabilities. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84800-259-3_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84800-259-3_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84800-259-3

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