Dravet Syndrome
What is Dravet syndrome?
In 1978, Charlotte Dravet first described Dravet syndrome, and it was found to have a genetic basis in 2001. Dravet syndrome is a rare genetic dysfunction of the brain (epileptic encephalopathy). It begins in the first year of life in an otherwise healthy infant, and it is lifelong. Let’s simplify it with common synonyms or search words:- Severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (SMEI)
- Polymorphic epilepsy in infancy (PMEI)
- Epilepsy with polymorphic seizures
- DS
How common is Dravet syndrome?
It’s not fully known how many people are affected—estimated 1 in 15,700 to 1 in 40,000 live births. It affects males and females in equal proportions. Significant risk factors for a Dravet syndrome diagnosis are:- Seizures lasting more than 10 minutes
- Seizures occurring on one side of the body
- Seizures triggered by a warm-water bath in children under 12 months old
What are the signs and symptoms of Dravet syndrome?
Dravet syndrome has been characterized by prolonged febrile and non-febrile seizures within the first year of a child’s life. This disease progresses to other seizure types:- Myoclonic and partial seizures
- Psychomotor delay
- Ataxia
What treatment options are available for Dravet syndrome?
Diagnosing the child early is critical to proper treatment and achieving the best outcome. A child may need a multidisciplinary team to address the many ways Dravet syndrome can affect the family. Seizure treatment is aimed at finding the best combination of medicines to treat chronic seizures and prevent and treat potential seizure emergencies. Getting the best seizure control possible is the goal. This could also help improve the child’s developmental abilities and decrease mortality risk.Where can I find more information about Dravet syndrome?
Dravet Syndrome Articles
Scotland Only Allows 10 Children to Receive New Cannabis-Based Seizure Drug
There are over 500 children in Scotland whose parents feel could benefit from a new cannabis-derived drug for seizures called Epidiolex. But recently, Secretary
New Approaches for Treating “Silent” Seizures in Dravet Syndrome
According to a story from Science & Technology Research News, a recent study has identified that area of the brain that is associated with “silent”
Possible New Treatment for Absence Seizures in Children
A new study published in the journal Cell Reports identifies possible new treatments for absence (silent) seizures in children with Dravet syndrome. Children with Dravet
A Recap on 2018: Record Number of Drugs Approved by the FDA for Rare Diseases
Each year the Food and Drug Administration approves dozens of new therapies to fulfill unmet needs for various patient populations. It’s just been published that
Researchers Discover a Mutation Linked to Dravet Syndrome
According to a story from HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, a team of researchers affiliated with the organization have identified a genetic mutation that is linked
Potential Dravet Syndrome Treatment Shows Capability in Clinical Trial
According to a story from pm360online.com, the pharmaceutical company Zogenix Inc. recently announced that its experimental drug candidate ZX008, also known as Fintepla®, has performed
Cannabis-Based Drug for Dravet Syndrome Now Available in all 50 States
Epidiolex was the first cannabis-based drug approved in the United States. It was first recommended for FDA approval by an advisory committee in April of
Words Matter: Key Things to Keep in Mind When Talking about Epilepsy
November is Epilepsy Awareness Month! Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior,
