The age of onset for LGS is between the ages of 2 to 5 years old and most cases of LGS occur before age 8.
Late onset cases of LGS have been described and some cases start in adolescence or even later although the peak onset for LGS is between the ages of 3 and 5 years old.
The most common ways you get LGS is from underlying brain abnormalities or even after a brain injury.
Although LGS or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is not inherited in most cases, genetic factors and other factors can also contribute to the development of LGS or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
LGS or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can occur as a result of abnormal brain development before birth or even during early childhood and it can be caused by genetic factors, infections during pregnancy or other unknown reasons.
An altered brain structure is the most common cause of LGS and an MRI can detect an altered brain structure.
You can also develop LGS or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome after a brain injury, such as a head injury, stroke or infection such as encephalitis or meningitis.
Some cases of LGS or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are linked to specific genetic mutations which affect brain function and these mutations can be spontaneous or inherited.
LGS syndrome is also known as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome which is a severe epilepsy syndrome which primarily affects children, but also can persist into adulthood.
The onset of LGS syndrome often occurs in early childhood, but it can also continue into adulthood and the electroclinical features of LGS syndrome remain largely consistent.
In adults who have LGS syndrome, they often experience cognitive impairment, behavioral problems, intractable seizures, along with the characteristic EEG findings.
People with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome experience multiple seizure types, developmental delays and a distinct brain wave pattern on an electroencephalogram or EEG.
The appearance of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can also vary significantly between people and the seizures can also manifest in different ways.
The most common types of seizures that occur in people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are tonic seizures, atypical absence seizures, atonic seizures, myoclonic seizures and generalized tonic clonic seizures.
The outlook for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is very poor and most people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome experience persistent seizures and cognitive impairment.
There is no cure for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, but medications and treatments can help improve control of seizures and quality of life with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
The biggest risks from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are from damage to the persons brain as a result of the uncontrolled seizures or falls which happen because of seizures.
As a result of these risks, people that have Lennox-Gastaut syndrome have a death rate of between 3 percent to 7 percent over a period of 10 years after they are diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
The life expectancy for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is between 50 to 60 years of age although some may die sooner or live longer.
The mortality rate for Lennox-Gastaut is 5 percent which means that people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are 24 times more likely to die prematurely than the general population.
The survival rate for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is around 5 percent.
People with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are 24 times more likely to die prematurely and the common causes of death in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are the complications from Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy and seizures.
Those with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are also at an increased risk of death as a result of accidents and falls that are related to seizures.
The mortality ratios for children that have Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and infantile spasms is 13.92 and 11.91.
Children and adolescents that have epilepsy, especially those that have Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or infantile spasms have an increased risk of death .
The cause of death of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome are complications that are related to the seizures instead of just the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.
Seizures can lead to falls and other accidents and cause injuries that can lead to death.
Difficulty controlling saliva during the seizures can also cause the person to inhale the saliva into the lungs and cause pneumonia which can also lead to death.
And prolonged seizures can cause death, especially if immediate medical attention is not received.
And lower mobility can increase the risk of infections, most particularly pneumonia.
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome is treated through use of anti seizure medications, dietary therapies, Neuromodulation, supportive care and medications for associated disorders, respite care and in some cases through epilepsy surgery.
Common medications used to treat Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are clobazam, valproate, felbamate, lamotrigine, topiramate, cannabidiol and rufinamide.
Dietary therapies such as through the ketogenic diet is high in fat and low in carbohydrates and can be very effective in reducing the frequency of seizures.
Neuromodulation uses vagus nerve stimulation to reduce seizures.
Supportive care to treat and manage Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome includes occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy as well as individualized education plants to address the challenges that are associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.
And respite care can provide families with a break and help them cope with the challenges of caring for someone or yourself with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.
An estimated 1 to 2 million people in the world have Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome represents around 1 to 2 percent of all people that have epilepsy and 3 to 4 percent of all children with epilepsy.
It's estimated that at least 48,000 adults and children in the United States has Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.
You cannot usually grow out of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome as it's a lifelong condition.
The symptoms of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can change over time, with different types of seizures and the frequency of the seizures can also change in adulthood and childhood but the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome will still persist.
In very rare cases a person may outgrow Lennox-Gastaut syndrome but it's a very rare occurrence and most people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome have at least some level of permanent cognitive impairment.
The complications of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome include developmental delays, seizures, behavioral problems and increased risk of death.
Other complications of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome include difficulty swallowing and breathing which can lead to aspiration of fluids and food into your lungs, which can result in pneumonia from the seizures.
Status Epilepticus, injuries, traumatic brain injury and even Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy are other complications of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Status Epilepticus is a prolonged seizure event which can be life threatening and is also a significant complication of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Seizures as a result of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can cause injuries and falls and lead to traumatic brain injures as well as other injuries.
Having seizures with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can also lead to developmental delays in areas like motor skills, language and cognitive abilities.
And many people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome also experience behavioral challenges, which include hyperactivity, aggression and difficulty in following of routines.
And the seizures and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can cause intellectual impairment which can get worse overtime.
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can also lead to emotional problems such as anxiety and depression and many medications that are used to treat Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can also have side effects including aplastic anemia and liver failure.