Pediatric Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

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.

What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric Lennox-Gastaut syndrome?

• Mood instability

• Personality disturbances

• Poor social skills and attention seeking behavior

• Seizures

How is pediatric Lennox-Gastaut syndrome diagnosed?

• Multiple types of seizures

• Electroencephalogram (EEG)

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

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