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Hood V, Berg AT, Knupp KG, Koh S, Laux L, Meskis MA, Zulfiqar‐Ali Q, Perry MS, Scheffer IE, Sullivan J, Wirrell E, Andrade DM. COVID-19 vaccine in patients with Dravet syndrome: Observations and real-world experiences. Epilepsia 2022; 63:1778-1786. [PMID: 35383912 PMCID: PMC9111612 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus is a primary tool to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. However, vaccination is a common seizure trigger in individuals with Dravet syndrome (DS). Information surrounding COVID-19 vaccine side effects in patients with DS would aid caregivers and providers in decisions for and management of COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS A survey was emailed to the Dravet Syndrome Foundation's Family Network and posted to the Dravet Parent & Caregiver Support Group on Facebook between May and August 2021. Deidentified information obtained included demographics and vaccination status for individuals with DS. Vaccine type, side effects, preventative measures, and changes in seizure activity following COVID-19 vaccination were recorded. For unvaccinated individuals, caregivers were asked about intent to vaccinate and reasons for their decision. RESULTS Of 278 survey responses, 120 represented vaccinated individuals with DS (median age = 19.5 years), with 50% reporting no side effects from COVID-19 vaccination. Increased seizures following COVID-19 vaccination were reported in 16 individuals, but none had status epilepticus. Of the 158 individuals who had not received a COVID-19 vaccination, 37 were older than 12 years (i.e., eligible at time of study), and only six of these caregivers indicated intent to seek vaccination. The remaining 121 responses were caregivers to children younger than 12 years, 60 of whom indicated they would not seek COVID-19 vaccination when their child with DS became eligible. Reasons for vaccine hesitancy were fear of increased seizure activity and concerns about vaccine safety. SIGNIFICANCE These results indicate COVID-19 vaccination is well tolerated by individuals with DS. One main reason for vaccine hesitancy was fear of increased seizure activity, which occurred in only 13% of vaccinated individuals, and none had status epilepticus. This study provides critical and reassuring insights for caregivers and health care providers making decisions about the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals with DS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne T. Berg
- Department of NeurologyNorthwestern Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Kelly G. Knupp
- Department of Pediatrics and NeurologyUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
| | - Sookyong Koh
- Department of Pediatric Neurology at University of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Linda Laux
- Epilepsy CenterDepartment of PediatricsAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children’s HospitalChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | | | - Quratulain Zulfiqar‐Ali
- Adult Epilepsy Genetics ProgramKrembil Brain InstituteToronto Western HospitalTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - M. Scott Perry
- Jane and John Justin Neurosciences CenterCook Children’s Medical CenterFort WorthTexasUSA
| | - Ingrid E. Scheffer
- Epilepsy Research CentreUniversity of MelbourneAustin Health; Royal Children’s Hospital, Florey Institute; Murdoch Children’s Research InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Joseph Sullivan
- Departments of Neurology and PediatricsUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Elaine Wirrell
- Child and Adolescent NeurologyMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | - Danielle M. Andrade
- Dravet Syndrome FoundationCherry HillNew JerseyUSA
- Division of NeurologyKrembil Brain InstituteToronto Western HospitalUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Adult Genetic Epilepsy ProgramUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
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Huang CH, Hung PL, Fan PC, Lin KL, Hsu TR, Chou IJ, Ho CS, Chou IC, Lin WS, Lee IC, Fan HC, Chen SJ, Liang JS, Tu YF, Chang TM, Hu SC, Wong LC, Hung KL, Lee WT. Clinical spectrum and the comorbidities of Dravet syndrome in Taiwan and the possible molecular mechanisms. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20242. [PMID: 34642351 PMCID: PMC8511137 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98517-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Dravet syndrome (DS) is an uncommon epilepsy syndrome that may negatively affect the patients and their caregivers. However, reliable and valid measures of its impact on caregivers and the characteristics of patients with DS in Taiwan are lacking. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of patients with DS and concerns of their caregivers and establish a baseline frequency of disease characteristics using a cross-sectional survey in Taiwan. We assessed the caregivers of patients with DS using an online anonymous questionnaire. The seizure frequency decreased with age, although lacking statistical significance. Vaccines show no influence on the condition of patients with DS. Our findings revealed the highest impact on the domains affecting the caregivers’ daily life, including additional household tasks, symptom observation, further medical plan, and financial issues. Caregivers also expressed concerns regarding the lack of independence/constant care, seizure control, speech/communication, and impacts on siblings because of long-term care of the patients in parents’ absence. Our findings highlight the significant effects of caring for a child with DS on the lives of their caregivers in Taiwan; these findings will help raise awareness regarding the needs of these families. Furthermore, we discussed the possible pathophysiological mechanisms of associated comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hsuan Huang
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Yunlin County, Taiwan
| | - Pi-Lien Hung
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Pi-Chuan Fan
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Lin Lin
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Rong Hsu
- Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-Jun Chou
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Che-Sheng Ho
- Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-Ching Chou
- Division of Pediatrics Neurology, China Medical University Children's Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Sheng Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Inn-Chi Lee
- Institute of Medicine, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hueng-Chuen Fan
- Department of Pediatrics, Tungs' Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shyi-Jou Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jao-Shwann Liang
- Department of Pediatrics, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Fang Tu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Ming Chang
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Changhua Christian Children's Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Su-Ching Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lee-Chin Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Pediatrics, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Long Hung
- Department of Pediatrics, Fu-Jen Catholic University Hospital, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Wang-Tso Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Department of Pediatric Neurology, National Taiwan University Children's Hospital, 8, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.
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Wheless JW, Fulton SP, Mudigoudar BD. Dravet Syndrome: A Review of Current Management. Pediatr Neurol 2020; 107:28-40. [PMID: 32165031 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2020.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Dravet syndrome is a debilitating epileptic encephalopathy of childhood with few treatment options available in the United States before 2018. In the modern era, new genetic testing options will allow diagnosis closer to disease onset. Three new medicines-stiripentol, cannabidiol, and fenfluramine-have documented efficacy and safety as adjunctive therapies for treating pharmacoresistant Dravet syndrome. Early diagnosis resulting in earlier treatment with these and other medications may improve prognosis of long-term outcomes, including less severity of cognitive, motor, and behavioral impairments. New rescue medication formulations can now manage acute seizures and help prevent status epilepticus via intranasal, buccal, and intramuscular routes as opposed to rectal administration. Preventing status epilepticus and generalized tonic-clonic seizures could potentially lower the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. With this changing landscape in diagnostic and treatment options comes questions and controversies for the practicing clinician, especially as diagnostic techniques outpace clinical treatment strategies. Critical decision points include when to start treatment, what pharmacotherapy combinations to try first, which rescue medication to recommend, and how to advise parents on controversial topics (e.g., immunizations). Given that most patients require polypharmacy, clinicians must be cognizant of drug-drug interactions between new medicines, existing anti-epileptic drugs, and other medications to manage comorbidities and must have an understanding of available therapeutic drug monitoring strategies and pharmacokinetic parameters. This review places new diagnostic, treatment and acute care options into the modern era and provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities facing the pediatric epileptologist in this rapidly changing landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Wheless
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics & Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
| | - Stephen P Fulton
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics & Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Basanagoud D Mudigoudar
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics & Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
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Damiano JA, Deng L, Li W, Burgess R, Schneider AL, Crawford NW, Buttery J, Gold M, Richmond P, Macartney KK, Hildebrand MS, Scheffer IE, Wood N, Berkovic SF. SCN1A Variants in vaccine-related febrile seizures: A prospective study. Ann Neurol 2019; 87:281-288. [PMID: 31755124 DOI: 10.1002/ana.25650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Febrile seizures may follow vaccination. Common variants in the sodium channel gene, SCN1A, are associated with febrile seizures, and rare pathogenic variants in SCN1A cause the severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy Dravet syndrome. Following vaccination, febrile seizures may raise the specter of poor outcome and inappropriately implicate vaccination as the cause. We aimed to determine the prevalence of SCN1A variants in children having their first febrile seizure either proximal to vaccination or unrelated to vaccination compared to controls. METHODS We performed SCN1A sequencing, blind to clinical category, in a prospective cohort of children presenting with their first febrile seizure as vaccine proximate (n = 69) or as non-vaccine proximate (n = 75), and children with no history of seizures (n = 90) recruited in Australian pediatric hospitals. RESULTS We detected 2 pathogenic variants in vaccine-proximate cases (p.R568X and p.W932R), both of whom developed Dravet syndrome, and 1 in a non-vaccine-proximate case (p.V947L) who had febrile seizures plus from 9 months. All had generalized tonic-clonic seizures lasting >15 minutes. We also found enrichment of a reported risk allele, rs6432860-T, in children with febrile seizures compared to controls (odds ratio = 1.91, 95% confidence interval = 1.31-2.81). INTERPRETATION Pathogenic SCN1A variants may be identified in infants with vaccine-proximate febrile seizures. As early diagnosis of Dravet syndrome is essential for optimal management and outcome, SCN1A sequencing in infants with prolonged febrile seizures, proximate to vaccination, should become routine. ANN NEUROL 2020;87:281-288.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A Damiano
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lucy Deng
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Wenhui Li
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rosemary Burgess
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amy L Schneider
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nigel W Crawford
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jim Buttery
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Infection and Immunity, Monash Children's Hospital, Department of Paediatrics, Monash Centre for Health Care Research and Implementation, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Gold
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Peter Richmond
- Vaccine Trials Group, Wesfarmer's Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Disease, Telethon Kids Institute, and Department of General Paediatrics, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Division of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kristine K Macartney
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael S Hildebrand
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ingrid E Scheffer
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicholas Wood
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Samuel F Berkovic
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
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