Pediatric Rasmussen syndrome

Rasmussen syndrome causes inflammation in one half of a child's brain. The inflammation affects the nerve cells in the brain and causes seizures.

Epilepsy is a condition that affects how the nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other. When the normal electrical activity in the brain interferes with this communication process, seizures can occur.

The epilepsy symptoms most people recognize are shaking (called convulsions) combined with the body getting rigid, clenching the jaw, and biting the tongue. These are called tonic-clonic seizures and many people still know them as grand mal seizures. But some seizures are barely noticeable.

Children may stare into space, stop talking abruptly and then start talking again, or start repetitious movements like chewing their lips or moving a hand. These types of seizures are called absence seizures, which used to be known as petit mal seizures. Sometimes a child may experience smelling something that isn't there, numbness or a tingling sensations before the seizure. These are called auras.

If the seizure is small twitching or staring, they should come out of it easily. For convulsions, make sure your child is in a chair that they can't fall out of or lying on the floor with a pillow under their head. Turn their head to the side, but NEVER try to put anything into their mouth. Do not shake or hit them or shout at them. If the seizure lasts for more than five minutes or seems violent, call 911.

After a seizure, your child may be confused, foggy or tired. If they want to lie down, let them.

To diagnose Rasmussen syndrome, your physician will do a detailed physical exam of your child, as well as an EEG and brain imaging.

Treatment is focused on controlling the seizures. These seizures may be difficult to control with medication, but surgery has shown more promise.

Our Epilepsy Center will provide you with resources to help both you and your child. The Resources link on this webpage is also a good source for more information about epilepsy and support groups.