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Medical notes: Ohtahara syndrome Medical notes: Ohtahara syndrome
(10 minutes later)
David Cameron's son Ivan has died of a rare condition which some doctors refer to as Ohtahara syndrome, a very rare form of epilepsy which also exhibits symptoms akin to those of cerebral palsy.David Cameron's son Ivan has died of a rare condition which some doctors refer to as Ohtahara syndrome, a very rare form of epilepsy which also exhibits symptoms akin to those of cerebral palsy.
Cameron's son died at the age of sixCameron's son died at the age of six
What exactly is it?What exactly is it?
Ohtahara syndrome is either inherited or develops as a result of trauma at birth. It is characterised by seizures which start in the first days of life. Some babies have as many as 100 of these spasms everyday. Ohtahara syndrome is either inherited or develops as a result of trauma at birth. It is characterised by seizures which start in the first days of life.
In the case of Ivan Cameron, his parents noted soon after his birth in 2002 that something was wrong: he had occasional spasms and seemed sleepy. After extensive tests, they were told he had the syndrome and would be unlikely to ever walk or talk. Some babies have as many as 100 of these spasms everyday.
As well as being excessively sleepy, children with Otahara syndrome are often very floppy. They usually go on to develop stiffness in their limbs - similar to children with cerebral palsy - which gives them severe impairments. Behavioural abnormalities and learning difficulties are also expected. In the case of Ivan Cameron, his parents noted soon after his birth in 2002 that something was wrong: he had occasional spasms and seemed sleepy.
After extensive tests, they were told he had the syndrome and would be unlikely to ever walk or talk.
As well as being excessively sleepy, children with Otahara syndrome are often very floppy.
They usually go on to develop stiffness in their limbs - similar to children with cerebral palsy - which gives them severe impairments.
Behavioural abnormalities and learning difficulties are also expected.
There is still some debate as to whether it should be classified as a distinct condition, as Dr S Otahara did in 1976, or whether it should be seen as severe early onset epilepsy with a range of differing symptoms.There is still some debate as to whether it should be classified as a distinct condition, as Dr S Otahara did in 1976, or whether it should be seen as severe early onset epilepsy with a range of differing symptoms.
How rare is it?How rare is it?
It is thought that Ohtahara syndrome affects about 0.2% of children with epilepsy, which in turn affects about 0.5% of the population. Boys are thought to be slightly more affected than girls.It is thought that Ohtahara syndrome affects about 0.2% of children with epilepsy, which in turn affects about 0.5% of the population. Boys are thought to be slightly more affected than girls.
Is it always fatal?Is it always fatal?
The mortality rate is very high, according to Professor Brian Neville at UCL's Institute of Child Health. What is known as Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy - or Sudep - affects a significant minority of all people with epilepsy. The mortality rate is very high, according to Professor Brian Neville at UCL's Institute of Child Health. As many as half will die in infancy or childhood.
The risk of this can be reduced with medication to control seizures, but the treatments available for Ohtahara syndrome are not always effective. Older medications such as phenobarbitone as still the preferred choice. What is known as Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy - or Sudep - affects a significant minority of all people with epilepsy, and this is a common cause of death for those with the syndrome.
The risk of Sudep may be reduced with medication to control seizures, but Ohtahara syndrome is often resistant to many of the anti-epileptic drugs available. Older medications such as phenobarbitone as still the preferred choice.
Some babies with a clear abnormality in the brain may be able to have surgery to remove the affected area, but this is unusual.Some babies with a clear abnormality in the brain may be able to have surgery to remove the affected area, but this is unusual.
Those with the condition are also more susceptible to illness, and pneumonia is not uncommon. Breathing difficulties are often associated with the condition, and those affected are more susceptible to illness.
Children often die within the first two years of life as a result of such chest infection. Pneumonia is not uncommon, and children often die within the first two years of life as a result of such chest infections.