Prevalence and Descriptive Epidemiology of Lennox‐Gastaut Syndrome Among Atlanta Children

Abstract

Summary:Purpose: To determine the prevalence and descriptive epidemiology of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) among metropolitan Atlanta children.Methods: We conducted a population-based study of LGS as part of the Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Study (MADDS) using a multiple-source surveillance system for epilepsy and developmental disabilities. Children were defined as having LGS if they had onset of multiple seizure types before age 11 years, with at least one seizure type resulting in falls, and an EEG demonstrating slow spike-wave complexes (<2.5 Hz). Mental retardation (MR) was not used as a diagnostic criterion.Results: The lifetime prevalence of LGS at age 10 years was LGS accounts for only 4% of all childhood epilepsy, yet is a significant contributor to childhood morbidity.

The Descriptive Epidemiology of Infantile Spasms Among Atlanta Children

“…We and others reported that between 18 and 50% of children with IS later develop LGS (12)(13)(14). We also reported that 39% of all children with LGS have a history of IS (26). No well-defined clinical features of IS can predict the development of LGS.…”

“…children developed Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) before age 1 I years, as defined by slow spike and wave on EEG and multiple seizure types (at least one of which resulted in multiple falls) (21,26).…”

Study about Childhood Epilepsy & Epileptic Syndromes

“…Ours being a study of childhood syndromes we excluded the infant population where West Syndrome is more common .As Waaler [13] included children above 6 yrs of age their prevalence was even lower. Comparing the characteristics of patient of LGS (Table-8) with those found in the Atlanta study [21] they are found to be similar. [17] 1969 6500 7.8 3 4.3 0 Genton [18] 1991 1486 4.9 1.9 4 2 18 Eiji Oka [8] [19] 1990 all ages 5.9 44…”

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“…This severe form of epilepsy has a common onset in early childhood and an incidence of around 1 in 40 to 50,000, 3,4 accounting for 4.3% of all childhood epilepsies. 5 Among children with drug-resistant epilepsy, those suffering from early-onset and high seizure burden epilepsies suffer the greatest neurodevelopmental problems. Because of the broad spectrum of behavioral symptoms in this population, it is often challenging to identify effective treatments.…”