Sometimes genetic testing pathogen variants can appear spontaneously in a child which might not be present in either of the parents. These changes in a gene can cause seizures in that individual hence this type of gene-related seizure is called genetic epilepsy. They might not be inherited. The symptoms of genetic epilepsy can vary from mild to severe seizure types.
These types of variations in genes are more prominent if there is a strong history of epilepsy in family members. Although the genetic causes are also common in the child who has no family history with the same and shows no signs of it in the MRI and other blood tests.
- Genetic testing of these bothersome genes is important as it can help in identifying the cause of the person’s epilepsy.
- It can help in determining an accurate diagnosis and provide the best possible medical treatment to the patient.
- It is useful in gaining information about which anti-seizure medication is the best for the patient. It is done because there have been cases where the medication given on the basis of genetic diagnosis has been proven to work a lot better. Also, some medications can even worsen the condition in people with genetic type epilepsy so it helps in finding a better alternative.
- A genetic diagnosis can also help in obtaining information about the long term outcome in certain cases for example:
Based on the result of the test a doctor can decide if it is safe to stop the anti-seizure medication because in some genetic epilepsy the seizure stops at a certain age.
It can help inform the family about their own risk of epilepsy or the possibility of them passing the disease to their off-springs.
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