Statistically, it is believed that more than 750 children born each year, in the United States, are born with a genetic defect known as Down syndrome. Often diagnosed during pregnancy, parents of a Down syndrome child eagerly await the arrival of the infant, preparing for the life challenges, rewards and health complications. For a small fraction of Down syndrome children, health complications are exacerbated by the onset of seizure disorder activity early in childhood. While seizure disorders are, generally, limited to tonic-clonic seizure activity, parents caring for Down syndrome children are often frightened and confused when the initial seizure activity begins. For this reason, parents of Down syndrome children, as early as pregnancy confirmation of the condition, should begin to become educated in the seizure complications of Down syndrome children and the methods for treatment.
Tonic-clonic seizure activity, in the world of general seizure disorders, is considered the most common episodic seizure event. Described, symptomatically, as a loss of consciousness, with rigidity of the muscles and high frequency jerking motions, tonic-clonic seizures are what the general population most identifies as related symptoms of a seizure disorder. For Down syndrome children, these tonic-clonic seizures often begin within the first year of life but may, in rare cases, be delayed until mid adulthood.
As parents caring for a Down syndrome infant, who may be exhibiting symptoms of a seizure disorder, consultation with a pediatric neurologist is required. It is through the pediatric neurologist that parents can obtain the results of a brain wave study, known as an EEG which will provide a foundation into the investigation and confirmation of a seizure disorder in the Down syndrome infant. While an EEG does not provide conclusive diagnosis into a seizure disorder, it does provide a screening into which a neurologist can determine if further testing should be considered.
For Down syndrome children, suffering from a seizure disorder, treatment most often involves the use of prescription drugs used to control and regulate the inhibitory and excitatory mechanisms of the brain. Known as anti-convulsants, these prescription drugs are commonly used in varying combination and doses until such time as the Down syndrome child’s seizure activity is controlled.
Beyond prescription drugs, in the treatment of seizure disorder in Down syndrome children, many parents, along with the recommendation of the neurologist, consider utilizing modified nutrition techniques for the Down syndrome child. Through a diet known as the Ketogenic Diet, there are positive indications to support the inhibitory mechanism of the child’s brain may be stimulated, thereby reducing the frequency of seizures in the Down syndrome child. The Ketogenic Diet, often associated with the Atkins Diet, involves a nutritional program in which the child’s diet is maintained on a low carbohydrate plan with an increase in fat intake. Because the diet places the Down syndrome child into a greater risk for nutritional deficiencies, consultation with a nutritionist is recommended before pursuing a Ketogenic Diet as a method to remedy or, at least, a method to alleviate seizure activity in the Down syndrome child.
As parents, caring for a Down syndrome child, there are many challenges and rewards. While seizure disorders are just one of the various medical complications in Down syndrome children, it is a complication which can be treated and alleviated, in most cases. The key to obtaining the appropriate care for the Down syndrome child, with seizure disorder, lies in the communication, and collaboration in and among the pediatric neurologist and dietician or nutrition specialist.
