Bryson's Blog

Living with Trisomy 13

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Probable cause of seizures



Bryson has been having small seizures for a few weeks now. In doing some research as to the cause or what type of seizures he was having, Dana & Travis had an EEG performed on Bryson in late September. I witnessed these seizures which are a short jolt that courses through his entire body. It usually occurs mostly during feedings, but not necessarily only then.

We didn't have the results back yet from the Doctor as to what was the cause of these seizures and I did some research on the Internet on seizures. I knew they weren't Grand Mal or even Petit Mal Seizures. The Mayo Clinic website offered information on many types of seizures. What I could best tell was that these were myoclonic seizures where an electrical surge is caused by a neurological disfunction. I checked into other types of seizures and found information on Epilepsy, Spina Bifida and Neural Tube Disorders. The article on Spina Bifida brought to mind another midline defect that Bryson has. It appears that he has a closed spinal defect which I found out may be Occulta Spina Dysraphism. He has what looks like a defect just off from his sacral spine angled from his natal cleft. He has a tuft of hair at the top of the natal cleft which is indicative of Occulta Spina Dysraphism. Sometimes this is accompanied by a tethered spine and unasymetrical development of the legs or feet. A county health nurse and Dana had found that one leg is one inch longer than the other.

Hopefully the OSD is not accompanied by the tethered spine as this requires surgeries to release the spine from its bindings. He has another appointment with Dr. Liptak on November 4th. Hopefully more will be learned then about the seizures and the spinal defect.

As Bryson continues to develop and grow, there are and will continue to be new findings, some promising, some daunting. Nevertheless, he is loved and cared for by his parents with all the love and joy in their hearts as he brings to us a message of love and courage.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a handsome little guy and beautiful mom! Officer, pull that kid over - he has to be over the legal level of cuteness! Is that a tint of orange in his hair or is it just the lighting? Such a sweet, darling little boy. Thanks for sharing!

All the best on the medical concerns. Of all the challenges he faces, he is so incredibly lucky to be so deeply loved. You can get over the hurdles (no matter how high) but love is the glue that holds everything together.

9:51 AM  
Blogger CJ said...

Bryson and his family continue to be in our prayers! He is in good hands and he is such a beautiful little soul!

10:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is Dr. Beavers office just wanting to leave a quick note to let you all know that you are all in our prayers. We check this blog periodically and enjoy the updates. Little Bryson is growing and is handsome as ever! God Bless you all

9:40 AM  

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