KCNQ2-Related Disorders

KCNQ2 -related disorders are a group of epileptic diseases that start during the first 4 weeks of a child's life (neonatal period). The groups is made up of various different diseases whose signs and symptoms vary. The conditions range from the less severe form KCNQ2 -related benign familial neonatal epilepsy (KCNQ2-BFNE) to the more severe form KCNQ2 -related epileptic encephalopathy (KCNQ2-NEE). KCNQ2-BFNE is characterized by seizures that start in otherwise healthy infants around day 3 of life and usually go away within 1 to 4 months. KCNQ2-NEE is characterized by epilepsy and profound intellectual disability and seizures that begin in the first weeks of life and typically show little response to treatment. They usually go away in a few months to a few years but can return later in childhood. These disorders are caused by mutations in the KCNQ2 gene. Inheritance is autosomal dominant. Treatment is with antiseizure medications.