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Seizures in children with Down syndrome: etiology, characteristics and outcome
C E Stafstrom1, O F Patxot, H E Gilmore
1Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
Insights
Seizures in children with Down syndrome (DS) are often linked to medical issues like hypoxia or infection. Investigating the cause is crucial for managing seizures in DS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Down syndrome (DS) is associated with abnormal brain development, potentially increasing seizure risk.
- Seizures are a recognized complication in individuals with Down syndrome.
- Identifying seizure triggers is important for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and causes of seizures in a cohort of patients with Down syndrome.
- To determine the common etiologies of seizures in children with Down syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 737 patients with Down syndrome (newborn to 22 years).
- Analysis of seizure history and identified causes in patients experiencing seizures.
Main Results:
- 47 out of 737 patients (6.4%) had a history of seizures.
- In 24 of these patients, seizures had an identifiable cause, frequently linked to neonatal hypoxia-ischemia, congenital heart disease-related hypoxia, or infections.
- These acute medical conditions can trigger seizures in the DS brain, which is predisposed due to abnormal neuronal development.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of children with Down syndrome experience seizures.
- Common medical complications of Down syndrome are frequent triggers for seizures.
- Diagnostic investigation to identify seizure etiology is recommended for all children with Down syndrome and seizures.
Abstract:
Of 737 patients with Down syndrome, newborn to 22 years of age, 47 had a history of at least one seizure. Of those, 24 children had seizures with an identifiable etiology, usually related to a common medical complication of Down syndrome: neonatal hypoxia-ischemia, hypoxia from congenital heart disease, or infection. These acute medical illnesses may precipitate seizures in brains already predisposed to hyperexcitability because of abnormal neuronal development. It is recommended that all Down syndrome children with seizures undergo investigations to determine the etiology of the seizure.