Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+)Symptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+)
Genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) is a spectrum of seizure disorders of varying severity. GEFS+ is usually diagnosed in families whose members have a combination of febrile seizures, which are triggered by a high fever, and recurrent seizures (epilepsy) of other types, including seizures that are not related to fevers (afebrile seizures). The additional seizure types usually involve both sides of the brain (generalized seizures); however, seizures that involve only one side of the brain (partial seizures) occur in some affected individuals. The most common types of seizure in people with GEFS+ include myoclonic seizures, which cause involuntary muscle twitches; atonic seizures, which involve sudden episodes of weak muscle tone; and absence seizures, which cause loss of consciousness for short periods that appear as staring spells.
Mutations in several genes, including some that have not been identified, can cause GEFS+. The most commonly associated gene is SCN1A. More than 80 percent of Dravet syndrome cases and about 10 percent of other GEFS+ cases are caused by changes in this gene. Mutations in other genes have been found in only a small number of affected individuals or families.
GEFS+ is a rare condition. Its prevalence is unknown.
GEFS+ is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder.
Telehealth Video Visit
William Gaillard is a Pediatric Neurologist practicing medicine in Washington, Washington, D.c.. Dr. Gaillard is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+). He is also highly rated in 21 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Epilepsy, Seizures, Epilepsy in Children, Liver Embolization, and Deep Brain Stimulation. Dr. Gaillard is board certified in Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2005, American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, and American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, 1992. Dr. Gaillard is currently accepting new patients.
Ingrid Scheffer practices practicing medicine in Parkville, Australia. Ms. Scheffer is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+). She is also highly rated in 62 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Myoclonic Epilepsy, West Syndrome, Epilepsy, and Epilepsy with Myoclonic-Atonic Seizures.
Samuel Berkovic practices practicing medicine in Heidelberg, Australia. Mr. Berkovic is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+). He is also highly rated in 48 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Myoclonic Epilepsy, Epilepsy, Partial Familial Epilepsy, and Epilepsy with Myoclonic-Atonic Seizures.
Summary: Simple febrile seizures (SFS) are a very common phenomenon (2-5% of children), mostly without serious consequences for the child or their development, but extremely anxiety-provoking for parents, who develop a fear of fever for fear of a recurrence, and request numerous additional tests, not justified according to current guidelines, after a first episode of SFS. Educating parents about these feve...
Published Date: July 01, 2017
Published By: National Institutes of Health