Clinical and Genetic Analysis of a New Multigenerational Pedigree with GEFS+ (Generalized Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus)

F Gérard, S Pereira, A Robaglia‐Schlupp, P Genton… - …, 2002 - Wiley Online Library
F Gérard, S Pereira, A Robaglia‐Schlupp, P Genton, P Szepetowski
Epilepsia, 2002Wiley Online Library
Febrile seizures affect 2–5% of all children younger than 6 years. A small proportion of
children with febrile seizures later develop epilepsy. The syndrome of generalized epilepsy
with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by febrile
seizures that may persist beyond age 6 years and nonfebrile seizures. Several genes have
been localized for FS by linkage analysis, and three GEFS+ genes (SCN1A, SCN1B,
GABRG2) have been identified. We identified a large multigenerational family with GEFS+ in …
Summary
Febrile seizures affect 2–5% of all children younger than 6 years. A small proportion of children with febrile seizures later develop epilepsy. The syndrome of generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by febrile seizures that may persist beyond age 6 years and nonfebrile seizures. Several genes have been localized for FS by linkage analysis, and three GEFS+ genes (SCN1A, SCN1B, GABRG2) have been identified. We identified a large multigenerational family with GEFS+ in France. All affected members had FSs. Among them, seven had other types of epileptic seizures including FSs after age 6 years, nonfebrile generalized seizures, or partial seizures later in life. Genetic linkage study excluded the candidate genes and loci for FS and GEFS+, thus proving the existence of a new GEFS+ genetic locus underlying the phenotype observed in this family.
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