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
A New Treatment for Dravet Syndrome Just Got FDA Approved
According to a story from PR Newswire, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved a new treatment for Dravet syndrome, a rare
June 23rd is Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day: Spreading Rare Disease Awareness
June 23rd, 2020 will be recognized as Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day, and June is Dravet Syndrome Awareness Month. These events are dedicated to spreading awareness
AI System Created To Speed Up Epileptic Diagnosis is Tested on Dravet Syndrome
As reported in Dravet Syndrome News, in a new study, researchers created an artificial intelligence system which could diagnose epileptic conditions more rapidly and easily
This Mother was Prepared to Break the Law to Treat her Daughter’s Dravet Syndrome
According to a story from Mirror Online, Vera Twomey from Cork, Ireland, was devastated when her four month old daughter had a severe seizure that
ICYMI: Positive Phase 3 Trial Results for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a form of epilepsy. Most patients with this condition are resistant to current treatments and experience seizures throughout the duration of
These Two Companies Just Announced a Partnership to Develop Multiple Gene Therapies
According to a story from BioSpace, the gene therapy companies Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. and StrideBio, Inc. have recently announced the completion of a licensing and
CBD-Based Treatment for Rare Childhood Epilepsies Gets Recommendation from NICE
According to a story from BioPortfolio, the biopharmaceutical company GW Pharmaceuticals plc recently announced that its medicine Epidyolex has earned recommendation from the UK National
This South African Family Was Shocked After Dravet Syndrome Diagnosis
According to a story from rekordmoot.co.za, the du Plessis family of Moot, South Africa couldn’t believe it when two year old Barry du Plessis was