Samia M. Abd El-Mouty^1,, Nagwa M. Salem¹

Background: Epilepsy is one of the chronic illnesses that have a great impact on the life of the epileptic children, their family caregivers and society in general. About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly 80% of epilepsy occurs in developing countries. Caregivers, usually family members or friends, who are responsible for making treatment judgments, providing livelihood, and managing daily activities. Aim of the study is to assess quality of life and burden among caregivers of children with epilepsy. Setting: Neurological Outpatient's clinics of Pediatric Hospital of Mansoura University. Design: A cross sectional descriptive design was used in this study. Tools: data was collected using the following three tools: first, socio-demographic data sheet, second, Zarit caregiver burden inventory (BI) and third, Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) to assess caregiver quality of life. Results: There is significant difference between two categories of the study sample on the variables (Burden index score, Emotional role, Vitality, Mental health) at significant level 5%. Conclusion: A negative correlation presented between the burden index score and QOL of the caregivers to children with epilepsy. Recommendations: Caregiver burden and problems in caring of epileptic children should be discussed and counseled with health care providers through broad health educational program related to nature of disease, compliance to medication, follow-up, referral besides making emotional and economic support.

caregiver, children, epilepsy, burden, quality of life