An accurate diagnosis can make a real difference to your patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) or Dravet syndrome1-3
Patients with LGS or Dravet syndrome may reach adulthood without a specific diagnosis. At any age, an appropriate diagnosis can lead to more targeted care.
A specific diagnosis can help when setting expectations and planning for future care with patients and caregivers1,2
Treatment plans and management can be personalized to their particular conditions1,2
Without a specific diagnosis, it may be more difficult to access tailored treatment1,3
Clinical features of LGS may delay or impede diagnosis

Presentation
is variable
At onset, not all patients present with the traditional signs and symptoms of LGS2,4,5

LGS changes
over time
Patients may present with a number of different seizure types, which evolve as patients age2

Adolescent/adult
care complications
Details of medical history may be lost during transfer from pediatric to adult care, and characteristic EEG features may no longer be present by adulthood3,6
The classic diagnostic triad is often used for initial diagnosis2:
- Multiple seizure types
- Cognitive impairment
- Abnormal EEG
However, this triad cannot be solely relied on, as symptoms can change with age6
By adulthood
~50% - 75%
of patients diagnosed with LGS during childhood may no longer display all of the clinical and EEG features typically used to diagnose the syndrome6
The Refractory Epilepsy Screening Tool for LGS (REST-LGS) was developed by a panel of experts to help lead to diagnosis for these patients.3
Signs and symptoms vary over time
IDENTIFYING LGS ACROSS AGE GROUPS
YOUNG CHILDREN (symptoms emerge: 2-8 years; peak onset: 3-5 years5,7) |
ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS |
|
SEIZURE TYPES |
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SEIZURE FREQUENCY |
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NEUROLOGICAL ISSUES |
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EEG |
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Other common hallmarks of LGS:
- Persistent seizures despite trial of 2 or more antiepileptic drugs3
- Helmet/safety precautions to prevent seizure-related injuries6
If your patient is exhibiting even some of these symptoms, you may want to reevaluate their medical history and determine if they may have LGS2
The information provided is not intended to supersede independent clinical judgment or institutional protocols.
Diagnosing patients with Dravet syndrome can be challenging
Dravet syndrome often goes undiagnosed or can be misdiagnosed

Despite early presentation, Dravet syndrome may not always be diagnosed, as most patients present as normally developing infants with febrile seizures1,11

At onset, patients with Dravet syndrome typically have a normal MRI and nonspecific EEG findings1

Childhood history is not always available in older patients, which can further confound diagnosis1
Signs and symptoms may vary over time
IDENTIFYING DRAVET SYNDROME ACROSS AGE GROUPS
YOUNG CHILDREN (seizures develop: ≤1 year1,11) |
OLDER CHILDREN AND ADULTS |
|
SEIZURE TRIGGERS |
|
|
SEIZURE TYPE |
|
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DEVELOPMENT & BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS |
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|
MOTOR SYMPTOMS |
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Not all patients display all symptoms—even some of these characteristics can suggest Dravet syndrome11
The information provided is not intended to supersede independent clinical judgment or institutional protocols.