Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a form of epilepsy (myoclonic-astatic). This variant of the disease involves a combination of tonic and atonic seizures, atypical absences, and late mental development in children. For the first time, the disease can occur in infants from one to five years, mainly in boys.
This ailment, as a rule, develops as a result of neurological diseases suffered in childhood and begins with sudden falls of the child. After some time, convulsions, epileptic seizures, pronounced delayed mental development, as well as a decrease in intelligence appear.
Gradually, with the growth of the child, the nature of the seizures changes. Falls are replaced by partial, secondary-generalized, complex attacks of epilepsy.
Because of what is manifested Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
It is quite difficult to understand the causes of this syndrome, but today the main ones are known.
- Anomaly of brain development.
- Severe infections (meningitis, encephalitis, rubella).
- Genetic pathological diseases of the brain (CNS lesions, metabolic diseases, tuberculous sclerosis).
- Injuries to the child during passage of the birth canal (asphyxia, premature birth, etc.).
- Injury to the central nervous system in the perinatal period, as well as premature birth and asphyxiation.
Symptoms of SLH
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can be recognized by the most important symptom - convulsions. Children diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy also have various forms of epilepsy (symptoms) :
- paroxysms of falls;
- atonic seizures;
- atypical absences;
- partial seizures;
- nodding spasms;
- myoclono-astatic attacks;
- tonic seizures (usually occur during deep sleep);
- generalized TC seizures.
Patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome also have a characteristic state of stupor with a smooth transition to epilepsy, mental retardation, cognitive and personality disorders.
Diagnosis of LH Syndrome
Immediately after the onset of the first symptom of this disease, you should immediately seek help from specialists, calling an ambulance. As a rule, the diagnosis of this disease is carried out using an ECG between attacks.
LH Syndrome Treatment
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is treated with medical and surgical methods. Drug treatment brings a positive result in no more than 20% of cases. With the surgical method of treatment, to eliminate sudden falls, the dissection of the corpus callosum (callosotomy) is effective. Operations aimed at stimulating the vagus nerve and removing vascular tumors and malformations are also used.
However, it should be said that the seizures characteristic of this syndrome are often quite difficult to treat; in the end, they can lead the patient to severe social and mental consequences. Tonic seizures that lead to a decrease in intelligence are practically not amenable to treatment.