Drop Seizures: Understanding Atonic Episodes and Their Causes

Drop seizure, also known as atonic, myoclonic-astatic epileptic (MAE) seizure or doose syndrome is a rare epileptic condition that results in a sudden loss of muscle strength and the patient falling to the ground. Each seizure lasts approximately 15 seconds. The condition usually begins in childhood.

Seizure

• Drop seizure patients experience a loss of muscle tone or strength, and they suddenly drop to the ground often resulting in injuries to the body and head.

Children Affected

• Drop seizure is a genetic condition that typically appears in children between the ages of 2 months and 5 years and typically is outgrown sometime during childhood. Boys are more likely to be affected.

Treatment

• The condition affects children in varying degrees and is not easy to control. Antiepileptic medications or steroids may be prescribed and according to the MAE parental support website, studies support a high fat, low-protein diet as beneficial.

Protecting Patients

• Parents of children with this condition must pay particular attention to the child's environment. Child-proofing the home, vigilant supervision of the child around water and safety tools, such as waering a helmet, are some of the steps parents should consider.

When to Seek Medical Attention

• Patients tend to recover quickly from the seizure. Patients suffering injury who do not regain consciousness or whose seizures last more than five minutes should seek medical attention.