What Parents Need to Know

  • Rasmussen syndrome typically begins between 1 and 14 years of age. Weakness and other neurological problems often begin 1 to 3 years after frequent seizures start.
  • Treatments that suppress the immune system (for example, those designed to treat encephalitis) can be more effective than anti-seizure medications in some cases.
  • Surgery is typically the most effective treatment option to remove the affected area of the brain. This procedure is called a hemispherectomy. Children are hospitalized for 7-10 days before transfer to rehabilitation.
  • Rehabilitation following surgery is a critical component to recovery. While each patient experience is unique, we have found that some children recover in 2-3 months.