seizure disorders

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

We talked about seizures before when Tina's sister had a seizure. I

came across this information and thought it might be helpful.

Kristy

What is the incidence of seizures in Down syndrome?

In the young child with Down syndrome, seizures are no more common

than in

the general population. Beginning at age 20-30, the incidence of

seizure

disorder rises substantially in the Down syndrome population.

Research is

ongoing as

to whether the frequencies of seizures in individuals with Down

syndrome is

related to the aging of the brain.

What is the typical seizure for a person with Down syndrome?

Seizures for individuals with Down syndrome commonly look like

epileptic

seizures: jerking of arms and legs and loss of consciousness.

Seizures can also

take a mixed form, with staring spells and momentary lapses of

attention.

What is the treatment for seizures?

Seizures can be controlled with standard anti-convulsant medication.

Summary:

The most common involvements of the nervous system in Down syndrome

are

hypotonia, atlantoaxial dislocation and seizures.

The reduced muscle tone of hypotonia affects most infants with Down

syndrome

and ranges from mild to severe.

Hypotonic conditions improve with age; however, gross motor movement

programs

provided by physical and occupational therapists have been proven

useful in

diminishing the symptoms of hypotonia.

Atlantoaxial dislocation refers to a weakness of neck muscles that

affects

approximately 10 to 20 percent of children with Down syndrome. Most

cases are

asymptomatic. Preventive measures against neck injuries call for

lateral

cervical x-rays for all children with Down syndrome after age two. If

atlantoaxial

dislocation is present, high-risk activities such as jumping,

diving, etc.,

should be limited.

In cases of atlantoaxial dislocation where symptoms are present, the

atlantoaxial joint can be surgically fused.

Seizures are equally common in the child with Down syndrome as

compared to

the general same-age population. After age 20, the incidence of

seizures in the

Down syndrome population increases substantially as compared to the

general

population. Seizures can be controlled by standard anti-convulsant

medication.