Socio-economic status may impact care of children with epilepsy

Socio-economic status may influence the use of health resources among children with epilepsy, even in a universal health insurance system.

In a study of more than 19,000 children in Ontario, Canada who were diagnosed with epilepsy, children with lower socio-economic status had fewer neurology visits, which may reflect transportation-, cultural-, or employment-related barriers in accessing specialized care. Children with lower socio-economic status had more frequent emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

"These patients need additional support to help reduce costly emergency department visits and hospitalizations, and better access to specialist care," said Dr. Elysa Widjaja, senior author of the Epilepsia study.