Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/1942/7597
Title: | Severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy: towards an optimal treatment | Authors: | Ceulemans, B. Boel, M. CLAES, Lieve Dom, L. Willekens, H. Thiry, Ph. Lagae, L. |
Issue Date: | 2004 | Publisher: | B C DECKER INC | Source: | Journal of child neurology, 19(7). p. 516-521 | Abstract: | Severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy, or Dravet syndrome, is one of the catastrophic epilepsy syndromes. In the past, treatment was mainly based on valproate and phenobarbital. Recently, some of the new antiepilepsy drugs, such as topiramate and stiripentol, have been shown to be promising in the treatment of this epilepsy syndrome. The treatment regimen of 12 children with Dravet syndrome and proven mutations in the alpha subunit of the sodium channel SCN1A is reported here. Five patients on the "traditional" treatment regimen are compared with seven children on an "optimal" treatment regimen based on a combination of valproate and topiramate. With respect to the literature and our own experience, we propose guidelines for "optimal" treatment of children with severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy. This includes prevention of hyperthermia, rigorous treatment of fever, avoiding stressful situations, maintenance treatment based on a combination of only two antiepilepsy drugs (ie, valproate and topiramate), and a strict acute seizure treatment based on benzodiazepines. To prevent long-lasting periods of status epilepticus, this acute seizure treatment must be taught to parents and caregivers. | Document URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1942/7597 | ISSN: | 0883-0738 | e-ISSN: | 1708-8283 | DOI: | 10.1177/08830738040190070701 | ISI #: | 000228707300007 | Category: | A1 | Type: | Journal Contribution |
Appears in Collections: | Research publications |
Show full item record
SCOPUSTM
Citations
55
checked on Sep 3, 2020
WEB OF SCIENCETM
Citations
50
checked on Apr 30, 2024
Page view(s)
62
checked on Jul 31, 2023
Google ScholarTM
Check
Altmetric
Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.