Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day in Ohio

Dravet syndrome, also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI), is a rare and catastrophic form of intractable epilepsy that begins in infancy, with an estimated incidence rate of 1:16,000 to 1:21,000. It is a debilitating, life-long condition that can severely impede the quality of life of the patient. Patients experience frequent seizures, poor seizure control, and developmental delays. Initial seizures are most often prolonged events and in the second year of life other seizure types begin to emerge. Development remains on track initially, with plateaus and a progressive decline typically beginning in the second year of life. Individuals with Dravet syndrome face a higher incidence of SUDEP (sudden unexplained death in epilepsy) and have associated health issues, which also need to be properly treated and managed.

(Ohio Revised Code: 5.251 Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day.)

The sixteenth day of October is designated as "Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day" to increase public awareness and understanding of this form of epilepsy that is also known as severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy. (Added by 130th General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 270, §1, eff. 3/23/2015.)

Source: dravetfoundation.org | ohio.gov