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Dravet Syndrome is an intractable epilepsy that begins in the first year of life
n” “nIt is an epileptic syndrome refractory to pharmacological treatment in most cases and has a prevalence of 7% of epilepsies in children under 3 years of age. It affects boys and girls equally and the ratio is one in every 16,000 newborns. Approximately 25% of children with Dravet syndrome have a family history of epilepsy or febrile seizures.
n” “nWithin the clinical diagnosis, some of the symptoms associated with a higher possibility that the patient has Dravet syndrome are:
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- Onset of febrile seizures before six months of age nnnn
- More than five seizure episodes nnnn
- Prolonged seizures (lasting more than 10 minutes). nnnn
- Seizures localized to one side of the body nnnn
- Partial seizures nnnn
- Myoclonic seizures nnnn
- Hot water-induced seizures n
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n” “nPrognosis and treatment
n” “nThe evolution of this epilepsy is highly variable. Affected children will persistently present with epileptic seizures. Seizures occur predominantly at the end of the night starting in adolescence. Fever continues to be a triggering factor and can even cause status epilepticus.
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The mortality rate is up to 18%, although these data are changing with the emergence of new therapies. Recent studies show that the diagnosis is being made increasingly early, thus avoiding the use of contraindicated medications.
n” “nThe approach to Dravet syndrome, also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy, is both pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Within the non-pharmacological approach, we highlight early stimulation and different types of motor or speech therapies.
n” “nThis International Dravet Syndrome Day is an initiative of the Dravet Syndrome Foundation, in conjunction with other international associations united for this syndrome. The goal is to raise awareness among the general public about the consequences of this pathology, as well as the degree to which it affects the quality of life of those who suffer from it and their families.
