MIAMI – Clinicians from the Nicklaus Children's Hospital, formerly Miami Children's Hospital, Brain Institute presented important information to parents and health professionals at the Dravet Syndrome Foundation's First Biennial Family and Medical Professional Conference. This seminal event, held June 26-29 at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, brought clinicians and researchers together with families and caregivers of children with Dravet syndrome to discuss new developments in treatment as well as more practical matters related to caring for children with this catastrophic illness.
Dravet syndrome is a type of complex drug-resistant epilepsy for which there is presently no cure, and often requires advanced care. Seizures typically present as febrile events during the first year of life, with very high incidence of autism and intellectual deficits. Dravet is caused by genetic mutations leading to dysfunction of neural ion channels in the brain, resulting in severe, often uncontrollable seizures.
Representing the Ion Channel Epilepsy Program of the Nicklaus Children's Hospital, formerly Miami Children's Hospital, Brain Institute were:
- Dr. Ian Miller, Director of the Ion Channel Epilepsy Clinic, presented an overview of the genetic implications of Dravet syndrome. Details were shared regarding the structure of the DNA blueprint, how proteins are created and how errors in DNA proteins can cause Dravet syndrome. Dr. Miller also led a discussion on the use of emergency medications, and the medical considerations when children undergoing treatment continue to have seizures.
- Dr. Brandon Korman, Chief of Neuropsychological Services, gave an introduction on the fundamentals of behavior therapy, with in-depth explanations and strategies to support parents in modifying behavior. Dr. Korman also presented practical information regarding neuropsychological and psycho educational evaluations as they relate to children with intractable (persistent) seizure disorders.
- Patricia Dean, ARNP, MSN, Clinical Coordinator of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, discussed the transition from pediatric to adult care for children with intractable epilepsy. The presentation highlighted expected clinical changes related to the transition as well as legal, financial and emotional considerations.
Families of children with Dravet syndrome also had the opportunity to connect with other families in parent-to-parent roundtables and social settings at the conference.
The Nicklaus Children's Hospital, formerly Miami Children's Hospital, Brain Institute is the first and largest pediatric neuroscience collaboration in the nation. The program is recognized for excellence in treatment of children with brain tumors, intractable epilepsy and other brain anomalies, and offers the latest minimally invasive methods. The Brain Institute is ranked eighth in the nation in pediatric neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News and World Report in its 2014-2015 “Best Children’s Hospitals” rankings. No other program in the Southeastern U.S. ranks higher. For more information about the program offerings, please visit www.mch.com/braininstitute.
About Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Where Children Matter Most (2024)
Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South
Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with approximately
850 attending physicians, including more than 500 pediatric subspecialists. The 307-bed
hospital is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with many specialty programs
routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. The
hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern
United States and since 2003 has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing
Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession’s most prestigious institutional
honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org.