What is dravet?

Definition. Dravet syndrome, previously called severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (SMEI), is an epilepsy syndrome that begins in infancy or early childhood and can include a spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

What is the life expectancy of a child with Dravet syndrome?

The average life expectancy of people with Dravet syndrome is not clear, but estimates suggest that 10–20% of individuals with Dravet syndrome do not survive beyond the age of 10. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the most common cause.

What does Dravet syndrome do to you?

Dravet syndrome (DS) is a severe form of epilepsy characterized by frequent, prolonged seizures often triggered by high body temperature (hyperthermia), developmental delay, speech impairment, ataxia, hypotonia, sleep disturbances, and other health problems.

Is Dravet syndrome curable?

For now, three new medications have been specifically approved to treat Dravet syndrome. Seizures in Dravet syndrome are difficult to control. Fortunately, new medications, older, established medications and other therapies can help reduce the number and severity of your child's seizures.

What is Dravet seizure?

Dravet syndrome — formerly known as severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (SMEI) — is a genetic epilepsy, characterized by temperature-sensitive/febrile seizures, treatment-resistant epilepsy that begins in the first year of life, and differences in childhood development.

What is Dravet syndrome?

What triggers Dravet syndrome?

In at least 80 percent of cases, Dravet syndrome is caused by defects in a gene required for the proper function of brain cells. Mutations in the SCN1A gene (a gene that encodes as a sodium channel, a part of the cell membrane involved in nervous system function) are the primary causes of Dravet syndrome.

How is Dravet syndrome inherited?

Most cases of Dravet syndrome occur when the SCN1A gene is not working correctly. It can be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, but most people with Dravet syndrome do not have a family history of the condition. Diagnosis is based on a clinical exam, medical history, and the results of genetic testing.

What is the rarest type of epilepsy?

What is Dravet syndrome? Dravet syndrome is a rare, genetic epileptic encephalopathy that gives rise to seizures that don't respond well to seizure medications. It begins in the first year of life in an otherwise healthy infant.

Is Dravet syndrome progressive?

Dravet syndrome is a severe and progressive genetic epilepsy characterized by frequent, prolonged and refractory seizures that usually begin within the first year of life.

Can adults have Dravet syndrome?

Adult patients with Dravet syndrome suffer multiple comordities in addition to persistent seizures, including but not limited to cognitive disabilities, behavioral challenges, decreased mobility, sleep issues, and gastrointestinal issues. Characteristics of Dravet syndrome often change in adulthood.

Does Dravet syndrome cause brain damage?

Dravet syndrome is a disease characterized by prolonged and frequent seizures that begin in the first year of life and are difficult to control with medication. These seizures are harmful to the developing brain and can cause cognitive and behavioral impairment in patients.

How do you test for Dravet syndrome?

Doctors use a blood test to screen for the SCN1A gene and other genetic changes linked to Dravet syndrome. Your child might need a genetic test if they: Had two or more seizures by age 1 that lasted more than 10 minutes each. Had one long seizure and one seizure that caused jerking on one side of their body by age 1.

When was Dravet syndrome discovered?

History. Charlotte Dravet first described severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy in Centre Saint Paul, Marseille, France in 1978 and the name was later changed to Dravet syndrome in 1989.

How much sleep do you need if you have epilepsy?

Some people do well on 5 hours a night, others need 8 to 10 hours or more. In general, at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night is considered good, but the quality of sleep also needs to be considered.

Is epilepsy hereditary from mother?

If the father has epilepsy and the mother does not have epilepsy, the risk is slightly lower. If both parents have epilepsy, the risk is only a bit higher. If one parent has idiopathic epilepsy, the chances that their child will also have epilepsy is between nine percent and 12 percent.

Does epilepsy get worse with age?

The incidence of any type of seizure increases substantially over the age of 60, commonly due to other neurological conditions such as dementia or stroke.

Are you born with epilepsy or does it develop?

It can also happen during birth. You may not get epilepsy until long after your brain injury -- sometimes years later. Brain conditions. Most cases of epilepsy in people older than 35 happen because of brain damage from a stroke or even after brain surgery.

Can Dravet syndrome be caused by vaccines?

Fever is the most common trigger of seizures in Dravet patients. Because vaccination frequently results in vaccine-induced fever, it becomes the trigger in about 50% of these patients' first seizures. However, vaccines do not cause Dravet syndrome and they do not change the course of the disease.

Does CBD help Dravet syndrome?

CBD resulted in a significant decrease of convulsive seizures and seizures of all types in Dravet syndrome, a pharmacoresistant epilepsy known to be associated with high mortality rates.

Who is Dravet syndrome named after?

Dravet Syndrome (DS) was named after Charlotte Dravet who described this condition for the first time in 1978 [1] as severe myoclonic epilepsy, (SME) in a group of intractable epilepsy.

What foods should you avoid if you have epilepsy?

white bread; non-wholegrain cereals; biscuits and cakes; honey; high-sugar drinks and foods; fruit juices; chips; mashed potatoes; parsnips; dates and watermelon. In general, processed or overcooked foods and over-ripe fruits.

Is banana good for epilepsy?

The 2018 study was published in the ”Pharmacognosy Research”. The researchers tested the water extracts of banana stem on animals and found that it was able to reduce the onset and duration of seizures in animals with some forms of epilepsy under laboratory conditions.

Is chocolate good for epilepsy?

Abstract. While the consumption of caffeine and cocoa has been associated with a variety of health benefits to humans, some authors have proposed that excessive caffeine intake may increase the frequency of epileptic seizures in humans and reduce the efficiency of antiepileptic drugs.

What is the best vitamin for epilepsy?

Vitamin D May Help Seizure Control

Supplemental vitamin D may be necessary for people who have these risk factors to maintain normal blood levels. A study published in 2012 showed that correcting vitamin D deficiency reduced seizures in people with epilepsy.

What type of CBD is best for epilepsy?

The optimal strains of cannabis for seizures are the ones highest in CBD, such as Charlotte's Web, Cannatonic, Purple Urkle, Grape Ape, Haleigh's Hope, and Harlequin.