EPILEPSY AND ITS SPECIAL FORMS/SPECIAL PATTERNS AND CAUSES:DEGENERATIVE DISEASES
A number of progressive, degenerative diseases of the brain affect children. Epilepsy is commonly seen in most of them. One group is called storage diseases because the proteins and fats that are normally broken down to waste products (metabolized) and eliminated from the body cannot be broken down in these rare inherited metabolic conditions. These products accumulate within nerve cells and affect their function, leading to epilepsy and mental retardation. These progressive conditions are usually fatal, but the duration of the illness may be quite variable. The names attached to these storage diseases reflect the individuals who described the conditions and the material stored. Different conditions begin at different ages. Among these conditions are Tay-Sachs disease (GM2 gangliosidosis), Batten’s disease (ceroid lipofuscinosis), and the various leukodystrophies. In the leukodystrophies, epilepsy is likely to appear later in the course of the progressive disease.
Although many of the epilepsy syndromes and some of these infections sound very frightening and can be devastating to both the child and the family, fortunately these conditions are uncommon. Most children with epilepsy do not have these conditions and their seizures are controlled. Most children with epilepsy do very well.
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