Seizures in fragile X syndrome: characteristics and comorbid diagnoses.
Seizures in fragile X usually appear after age 4 and point to a higher chance of co-occurring autism.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Berry-Kravis et al. (2010) ran a national survey. They asked parents of people with fragile X about seizures and other diagnoses.
The team counted how many males and females had ever had a seizure. They also noted age when the first fit happened and if the child also had autism.
What they found
About 1 in 7 males with fragile X had seizures. Only 1 in 16 females did.
Most seizures started between ages 4 and 10. They were usually mild and rare. Kids who had seizures were more likely to also have autism.
How this fits with other research
Alanay et al. (2007) saw the same link in a small clinic sample. Their 24 boys with fragile X who had EEG changes often had psychiatric diagnoses too. The new survey shows the pattern holds across the whole country.
Newman et al. (2015) went one step further. They found that fragile X kids who also have autism show more challenging behavior. Elizabeth’s seizure data fit this theme: autism keeps showing up as a red-flag in fragile X.
Frantz et al. (2019) add the school piece. Students with fragile X plus autism or severe behavior spend less time in regular classrooms. Together the papers trace a line: seizures → autism flag → more support needs.
Why it matters
If you work with a boy who has fragile X, ask about seizures. A yes answer should prompt you to screen for autism and to plan for possible challenging behavior. Share the seizure history with the teacher and medical team so everyone uses the same safety and learning plan.
Want CEUs on This Topic?
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ free CEUs — live every Wednesday. Ethics, supervision & clinical topics.
Join Free →Add one question to your intake form: 'Any history of seizures?' for every client with fragile X.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
A national survey of caregivers of individuals with fragile X syndrome addressed characteristics of epilepsy and co-occurring conditions. Of the 1,394 individuals (1,090 males and 304 females) with the full mutation, 14% of males and 6% of females reported seizures. Seizures were more often partial, began between ages 4 and 10 years, and were infrequent and easily treated. Similar characteristics and patterns were seen in medical chart review data from a large clinic cohort of patients with fragile X syndrome. National survey data showed that autism was significantly associated with seizures as a co-occurring condition. Although seizures in fragile X syndrome are typically not severe and easily treated with medications, they appear to be associated with developmental–behavioral comorbidity that impacts function.
American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilities, 2010 · doi:10.1352/1944-7558-115.6.461