PRINTER'S NO. 4321
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1183
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY KINSEY, HILL-EVANS, READSHAW, BIZZARRO, ROTHMAN,
LONGIETTI, J. McNEILL, MILLARD, RYAN, C. QUINN, THOMAS,
YOUNGBLOOD, BURNS AND DiGIROLAMO, NOVEMBER 2, 2018
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
NOVEMBER 2, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing November 1, 2018, as "Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a severe form of epilepsy
that accounts for nearly 4% of all cases of childhood epilepsy;
and
WHEREAS, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is characterized by a triad
of symptoms that include multiple types of seizures, an abnormal
electroencephalogram and moderate to severe cognitive
impairments; and
WHEREAS, Children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome typically
begin to show symptoms between the ages of three and five, even
following a normal period of development; and
WHEREAS, Some of the known causes of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
include brain injury associated with pregnancy or birth, severe
brain infections, developmental malformations of the brain and
metabolic conditions; and
WHEREAS, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome may be preceded by another
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rare and often unnoticed form of epilepsy known as infantile
spasms; and
WHEREAS, Nearly all children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
develop learning problems and intellectual disabilities
associated with their frequent seizures; and
WHEREAS, Because the seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut
syndrome are often resistant to typical treatments, the
resulting intellectual impairments tend to worsen over time; and
WHEREAS, As children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome grow older,
uncontrolled seizures may become less problematic but impaired
intellectual functioning persists and may be accompanied by
acute psychotic episodes, slowed cognitive functioning and
progressive behavioral problems; and
WHEREAS, Complete recovery is extremely unusual for a child
with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and most affected individuals will
require lifetime assistance with some or all of the usual
activities of daily life; and
WHEREAS, Since there is no cure for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome,
the goals of treatment are to reduce the adverse side effects of
medication and to improve quality of life; and
WHEREAS, The three main treatment options for Lennox-Gastaut
syndrome are antiseizure medications, dietary therapy and
nonpharmacological methods; and
WHEREAS, Further research is needed to identify more
effective therapies; and
WHEREAS, Due to the heterogeneity of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome,
researchers often find Lennox-Gastaut syndrome difficult to
study, and there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done
to understand the syndrome; and
WHEREAS, November 1 is celebrated worldwide as "International
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Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Awareness Day," to bring awareness to
this rare condition, acknowledge the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
community and promote research efforts to better understand
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; and
WHEREAS, "Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Awareness Day" is
recognized to further highlight research efforts and recognize
the challenges this syndrome continues to present to the
children and adults affected by it, as well as to their families
and caregivers; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
November 1, 2018, as "Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Awareness Day" in
Pennsylvania.
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