Dravet syndrome is a rare epileptic encephalopathy linked to mutations in SCN1A (neuronal sodium channel α1 subunit) and characterized by an onset in infancy with polymorphous seizure types and developmental decline. It was reported recently that a proportion of patients previously diagnosed with alleged vaccine encephalopathy might possess SCN1A mutations and clinical histories that enabled a diagnosis of Dravet syndrome, but these results have not been replicated. We present here the cases of 5 children who presented for epilepsy care with presumed parental diagnoses of alleged vaccine encephalopathy caused by pertussis vaccinations in infancy. Their conditions were all rediagnosed years later, with the support of genetic testing, as Dravet syndrome. We hope that these cases will raise awareness of Dravet syndrome among health care providers who care for children and adolescents and aid in earlier recognition and diagnosis.
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September 2011
Case Reports|
September 01 2011
Alleged Cases of Vaccine Encephalopathy Rediagnosed Years Later as Dravet Syndrome
Ila S. Reyes, MD;
Ila S. Reyes, MD
aDepartment of Pediatrics and
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David T. Hsieh, MD;
aDepartment of Pediatrics and
bDivision of Child Neurology, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas;
Address correspondence to David T. Hsieh, MD, Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Dr, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234. E-mail: david.hsieh@us.af.mil
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Linda C. Laux, MD;
Linda C. Laux, MD
cPediatrics and Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Children's Memorial Epilepsy Center, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois;
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Angus A. Wilfong, MD
Angus A. Wilfong, MD
dPediatrics and Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; and
eComprehensive Epilepsy Program, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
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Address correspondence to David T. Hsieh, MD, Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Dr, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234. E-mail: david.hsieh@us.af.mil
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: The authors have indicated they have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.
Pediatrics (2011) 128 (3): e699–e702.
Article history
Accepted:
April 28 2011
Citation
Ila S. Reyes, David T. Hsieh, Linda C. Laux, Angus A. Wilfong; Alleged Cases of Vaccine Encephalopathy Rediagnosed Years Later as Dravet Syndrome. Pediatrics September 2011; 128 (3): e699–e702. 10.1542/peds.2010-0887
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