WIP 65 - Caregiver Measures of Stress in Recollection of Childhood Seizure Events

Poster Number: WIP 65
Publication Number: WIP 65.2654

Background: Most patients having a seizure do not remember the event but can develop chronic psychological sequelae; however, little is known about the impact of a child’s serious health events on the mental and physical health of caregivers. In epilepsy, it is possible that a single seizure event is traumatic enough to induce PTSD symptoms in caregivers; therefore, we would expect repercussions on the family and child from that caregiver suffering from PTSD.

Objective: Objective of this study is to measure a caregiver's stress response when recalling a child’s seizure and then assess the predictive properties of the stress response to the development of PTSD symptoms. Our first aim is to demonstrate that caregivers have activation of the autonomic nervous system during recollection of a seizure event. Our second aim is to measure PTSD symptoms on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL5) in the caregiver as it relates to the seizure event. Overall goal is to encourage early intervention for these caregivers at risk for PTSD and to have clinicians consider trauma informed care in Neurology clinics.

Design/Methods: IRB approved. During the clinical history in the visit in Child Neurology clinic, we will measure autonomic responsivity in the caregivers of children who have had a seizure-like event. A baseline is obtained followed by a recording during the caregiver’s recollection of the seizure event. Data will then be analyzed and compared to a control group of non-seizure presentations. Skin conductance values will be compared with maximum values minus average baseline value reporting the caregiver’s response and in similar studies have found to be predictive of PTSD development. Over 3 months after GSR collection, we will conduct interviews by phone using the PCL-5 to assess for development of PTSD. There will be 30 participants in each group for a total of 60 participants; currently, we are in the process of data collection with our goal to be completed with this step by February 2024 with data analysis to follow and complete by March 2024.