Vagus Nerve Stimulation
If seizures keep occurring frequently even when your children have started medication treatment for Dravet syndrome, vagus nerve stimulation would be recommended. In this procedure, an electrical device will be implanted under the chest skin. A wire is used to link this device to your vagus nerve located on the left part of the body. Electrical signals will be then transmitted to the brain. Studies have shown that vagus nerve stimulation is effective in reducing the frequency of seizures in up to 50 percent of reported cases of Dravet syndrome. However, it is not the best treatment for everyone. [7]
Rehab Therapy
A doctor may need to evaluate the development of children with Dravet syndrome regularly and suggest proper rehab therapies to help them manage the symptoms. Common options include:
– Speech therapy: to improve speech development
– Behavioral therapy: to improve mental health, emotional control, and social skills
– Physical therapy: to boost strength, dexterity, coordination, balance, and walking abilities
– Occupational therapy: to help develop proper strategies to manage the symptoms [8]
