Rasmussen Syndrome, which occurs in children, is a rare, serious form of Epilepsy. It is characterized by chronic, active encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and by epileptic seizures of varying degrees of severity. Its symptoms are the unexplained onset of 1) intractable focal motor seizures, 2) progressive paralysis on one side of the body (hemiparesis) and 3) progressive intellectual deterioration. Focal seizure may be so frequent as to be almost constant. It is distinguished from other Epilepsy syndromes by the progressive nature of the seizures and by the hemiparesis. It affects one side of the brain only, and its seizures are generally unresponsive to medical therapy.
Rasmussen’s syndrome is a condition that usually begins in childhood and can get progressively worse over time. Seizures are usually one of the first symptoms seen, but other neurological problems may occur as well. The seizures usually are a type of partial seizures but may progress to tonic clonic seizures.
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Epilepsy, also often referred to as a seizure disorder, is a common medical condition which affects the central nervous system. While some people may experience a single seizure in their lifetime, the diagnosis of epilepsy is made after a person experiences two or more seizures that were not caused by another known medical condition.
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Hemispherectomy Foundation: RE is most commonly seen in children, especially between the ages of 2 and 12, although there are adult cases and cases where it has been diagnosed earlier than age 2.
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Fact Sheet last updated on: 8/27/2024
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