What causes Dravet Syndrome?

Dravet Syndrome occurs when one of the genes in a part of the brain, known as the ‘sodium ion channel’, doesn’t function as it should. The movement of sodium ions in and out of nerve cells helps to control electrical messages in the brain.

So, a faulty ion channel gene can cause seizures and the spectrum of conditions that we see affecting people with Dravet Syndrome.

Find out more about the genes that can cause Dravet Syndrome here.

Is Dravet Syndrome an inherited condition?

We know some families worry that they are somehow responsible for their child’s genetic condition. However, in around 90% of cases, the Dravet gene mutation is ‘de novo’, which means it happens spontaneously and is not inherited from parents.

How can you find out if someone has Dravet Syndrome?

Dravet Syndrome is diagnosed clinically, from reported signs and symptoms, including:

• the age symptoms start
• types of seizures
• the way the condition develops

A genetic test for Dravet Syndrome is also available free of charge via the NHS in the UK. Although Dravet Syndrome can be diagnosed without genetic testing, it can be very helpful to get this done. This is because genes have an important role to play in our understanding and management of the condition.

Find out more about seizures and non-seizure aspects of Dravet Syndrome.