Those familiar with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) know that it presents itself differently
than most forms of epilepsy. Rather than experiencing one type of seizure, a child
who has LGS may experience a number of different types of seizures.
A child who has LGS may experience a number of different types of seizures.
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome seizures
The onset of LGS does not typically begin with a certain type of seizure. But for
about one-third of children, the first sign of this disorder is a prolonged epileptic
episode known as
status epilepticus.40 Seizures
commonly associated with LGS include:
- Tonic – muscle stiffening, dilation of the pupils, altered respiratory patterns (also known as “drop attacks”)
- Atonic – brief loss of muscle tone, causing abrupt falls (also
known as "drop attacks")
- Atypical absence – staring spells
- Myoclonic – sudden muscle jerks41
- Tonic-clonic – muscle stiffening and unconsciousness, followed by convulsions from
muscles contracting and relaxing rapidly, a period of sleep and possible confusion
upon waking
The most common are tonic seizures. As a parent or caregiver, you may observe:
- stiffening of muscles that throw your child off balance
- slow forward motion of the head accompanied by drooling
- sudden fall of the head only
- sudden collapse of the body as a whole
Tonic seizures may occur throughout the night. Although they disturb sleep, they
do not usually wake the child. These seizures range in duration from a few seconds
to one minute, with an average of about 10 seconds. Because of their brief duration,
these night episodes may go undetected.43
LGS seizure types vary from person to person. There may be periods of frequent seizures
mixed with brief, relatively seizure-free periods . Seizures are usually repeated
multiple times throughout the day.45
Safety helmets
Falls from tonic or atonic seizures ("drop attacks") pose a serious risk
of injury. For this reason, your doctor may recommend protective headgear for your
child.46 Suitable helmets are commercially available through sporting
good stores, medical supply companies, and some hospital rehabilitation departments.
Fitted hockey helmets are a good choice.47
References
40 Epilepsy Foundation. "Epilepsy Syndromes: Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome."
Web. Accessed August 20, 2009. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/types/syndromes/lg.cfm
41 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. "NINDS
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Information Page," Accessed August 07, 2009. Web. August
20, 2009. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/lennoxgastautsyndrome/lennoxgastautsyndrome.htm
42 Epilepsy Foundation. "Epilepsy Syndromes: Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome."
Web. Accessed August 20, 2009. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/types/syndromes/lg.cfm
43 Epilepsy Foundation. "Epilepsy Syndromes: Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome."
Web. Accessed August 20, 2009. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/types/syndromes/lg.cfm
44 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. "NINDS
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Information Page," Accessed August 07, 2009. Web. August
20, 2009. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/lennoxgastautsyndrome/lennoxgastautsyndrome.htm
45 Epilepsy Foundation. "Epilepsy Syndromes: Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome."
Web. Accessed August 20, 2009. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/types/syndromes/lg.cfm
46 Epilepsy Foundation. "Epilepsy Syndromes: Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome."
Web. Accessed August 20, 2009. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/types/syndromes/lg.cfm
47 Schachter, Steven C. M.D. "Buying a Helmet" Epilepsy.com. December
15, 2006. Web. Accessed August 27, 2009. http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/safety_helmet