Just a update....and info for the family.....Benign focal epilepsy

Most in the Wolfley family were told that these might effect the Wolfley girls in the family....But what the dr. told me is that it doesn't discriminate gender. Here are just some facts and info for everyone......

Benign focal epilepsy of childhood or rolandic epilepsy
(ages 2 to 12)

Rolandic epilepsy syndrome is the most common epileptic syndrome of childhood, representing 15 percent to 25 percent of childhood epilepsy.

The syndrome takes its name from the gyrus of Rolando, the brain area that produces the EEG brain-wave pattern characteristic of this form of epilepsy. Although this distinctive EEG pattern is seen in 2 percent of healthy children, only 8 percent of these children will have epilepsy.

Children with rolandic epilepsy have normal development and normal neurological signs. Most do not have learning problems, although some may have specific problems with reading and language.

In one study, 50 percent of close relatives were found to have the characteristic brain-wave abnormality between ages 5 and 15 , but of all children who inherit this abnormality, only 12 percent will actually have seizures.

The first sign of rolandic epilepsy is typically a seizure during sleep. The seizure presents as a rhythmic tightening and relaxing of muscles on one side of the face and, perhaps, of the arm on the same side. The episodes awaken the child and may involve mouth movements, possible drooling and/or gurgling sounds without loss of consciousness.

Seizures during the day also include the lips, gums and cheek, the build up of saliva, speech arrest, and a tightening or twitching of face muscles on one side. Consciousness is maintained and movements of the arm and/or leg may also occur. The child may feel a numbness of the lips, gums and cheek after the episode.

Seizures in rolandic epilepsy are typically easy to control and usually disappear by age 16 with or without treatment . The seizures are infrequent. Some doctors do not recommend treatment if the seizures happen only at night while others may not begin treatment until several seizures have occurred. Medications used in treating this condition are Phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazapine, oxcarbamazapine and valproate. Most children can be tapered off of medication after one or two years of therapy.