Landau-Kleffner Syndrome

Classification according to ICD-10
F80.3	Acquired aphasia with epilepsy (Landau-Kleffner syndrome)
ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019)

The Landau-Kleffner syndrome (also: Acquired aphasia with epilepsy , named after William M. Landau and Frank R. Kleffner ) is a rare combination of language disorder with epilepsy .

Symptoms, consequences

The disease usually begins between the ages of three and seven. Boys are more often affected than girls ( androtropia ). The language ( linguistic abilities ) of the child, which was previously developed in accordance with their age, is lost within days to weeks, and there are also abnormalities in the EEG , often also epileptic seizures. The temporal relationship between the onset of the seizures and the loss of speech is variable, both one and the other can precede. The speech disorders are generally rated as a consequence of the seizures. The seizures can subside in adulthood.

The lost or insufficient spoken language skills severely limit social life and communication and can make them impossible. Also attending school , vocational training and working life are affected. The epileptic seizures carry the risk of injuries and accidents. Acquiring a driver's license and driving a car may be impaired or impossible.

causes

The exact causes of the syndrome are unclear, an inflammatory encephalitic process is suspected.

therapy

A causal treatment of Landau-Kleffner syndrome is not known. Treatment is therefore only symptomatic with anticonvulsants and corticosteroids as well as symptom-oriented speech therapy.

forecast

The prognosis for children with Landau-Kleffner syndrome varies. Some affected children retain permanent severe speech impairments, while others regain much of their language skills over time; however, this usually takes years. In some cases, sudden remissions or relapses can occur. The prognosis is more favorable if the onset of the disease does not occur until after the age of 6. In any case, speech therapy should be started as soon as it makes sense. The seizures generally go away with puberty .

literature

Phillip L. Pearl, Enrique J. Carrazana, Gregory L. Holmes: The Landau-Kleffner Syndrome . In: American Epilepsy Society (Ed.): Epilepsy currents . tape 1 , no. 2 , November 2001, p. 39–45 , doi : 10.1111 / j.1469-5812.2005.00134.x-i1 , PMID 15309183 , PMC 320814 (free full text) - (English).
Simone Baur: Landau-Kleffner Syndrome. Language - behavior - speech therapy
Children's network e. V .: Information folder Landau-Kleffner Syndrome

Web links

Landau-Kleffner Syndrome. In: Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man . (English)

Individual evidence

↑ Dominic Prinz, u. a .: Landau-Kleffner syndrome. In: flexikon.doccheck.com. Retrieved January 11, 2017 .
↑ Christopher L. Grote, Patricia Van Slyke, Jo-Ann B. Hoeppner: Language outcome following multiple subpial transection for Landau – Kleffner syndrome. In: Brain - A Journal of Neurology. (accessed on May 15, 2009)
↑ National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Landau-Kleffner Syndrome Information Page ( Memento of August 21, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) (English, accessed on May 15, 2009)

[1] Dominic Prinz, u. a .: Landau-Kleffner syndrome. In: flexikon.doccheck.com. Retrieved January 11, 2017 .

[2] Christopher L. Grote, Patricia Van Slyke, Jo-Ann B. Hoeppner: Language outcome following multiple subpial transection for Landau – Kleffner syndrome. In: Brain - A Journal of Neurology. (accessed on May 15, 2009)

[3] National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Landau-Kleffner Syndrome Information Page ( Memento of August 21, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) (English, accessed on May 15, 2009)