Pediatric Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a rare, debilitating form of epilepsy that causes seizures, cognitive impairment and abnormal brain activity.
Overview
What is pediatric Lennox-Gastaut syndrome?
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a rare and often debilitating type of epilepsy that usually first appears between the ages of 2 and 6. Due to its unique combination of symptoms, this condition is one of the most challenging forms of epilepsy to treat. What’s more, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a dangerous condition due to the frequent falls, injuries and cognitive (thinking) impairment that can impact the child’s quality of life.
Signs and Symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric Lennox-Gastaut syndrome?
Mood instability
Personality disturbances
Poor social skills and attention seeking behavior
Diagnosis
How is pediatric Lennox-Gastaut syndrome diagnosed?
Multiple types of seizures
Causes
What are the causes of pediatric Lennox-Gastaut syndrome?
In 20 to 30 percent of cases, there is no known cause of this condition. Some of the known causes of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome include:
Brain injury associated with pregnancy or birth, such as asphyxia, low birth weight or prematurity
Developmental malformations of the brain
Certain metabolic conditions
Severe brain infections, such as encephalitis, meningitis or rubella
