This is 6 year old Mason. He has a form of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. His first seizure that we noticed happened when he was six months old. Since that time his treatments have included many different medicines, along with two years on the Ketogenic diet. His seizures today are daily, but “mild”- for which we remember to be grateful. Despite having global developmental delay, Mason learns and enjoys new things every single day. He loves music and light, and is full of joy & giggles.
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome or (LGS) is a severe form of epilepsy. Seizures usually begin before 4 years of age. Seizure types, which vary among patients, include tonic (stiffening of the body, upward deviation of the eyes, dilation of the pupils, and altered respiratory patterns), atonic (brief loss of muscle tone and consciousness, causing abrupt falls), atypical absence (staring spells), and myoclonic (sudden muscle jerks). There may be periods of frequent seizures mixed with brief, relatively seizure-free periods. Most children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome experience some degree of impaired intellectual functioning or information processing, along with developmental delays, and behavioral disturbances. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can be caused by brain malformations, perinatal asphyxia, severe head injury, central nervous system infection and inherited degenerative or metabolic conditions. In 30-35 percent of cases, no cause can be found.
For more information on Lennox Gastaut Syndrome please visit www.lgsfoundation.org
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