Objective: To evaluate the needs and identify factors that predict those needs of caregivers who look after epileptic children.

Materials and methods: This study was a survey of a selected purposive sample of 130 caregivers of epileptic children who attended the out patient Pediatric Neurology Clinic at Songklanagarind Hospital for case follow-up.

Results: This study showed that the overall mean score of caregivers’ needs when caring for epileptic children was at a moderate level and the mean scores of caregivers’ needs of each section were in the moderate to high level range. The range of need score levels from high to low was information, physical, psychological, spiritual, household management and financial. Caregivers’ characteristics show that education level was positively correlated with information needs but family income had a negative correlation with financial needs. Duration of caring, was negative correlated with both information and household management needs. The sense of severity of the disease and frequency of seizures were found to be positively correlated with financial needs. Complications of the patient were positively correlated with both the physical and financial needs. However, caregivers’ age and experience of caring were unable to predict caregivers’ needs.

Conclusion: The highest score of caregivers needs is that for information. The health team, especially doctors and nurses, should respond to the needs of caregivers and give them confidence to effectively take care of their epileptic children.