children s health issues
Sturge Weber Syndrome
Symptoms of Sturge Weber Syndrome
The port-wine birthmark varies in size and color, ranging from light pink to deep purple. It usually appears on the forehead and upper eyelid of 1 eye but may also include the lower eyelid and face. If both eyelids are involved, people are much more likely to have an angioma in the tissues covering the brain. Seizures in Children occur in about 75 to 90% of people and typically start by the time children are 1 year old. Usually, seizures occur on only 1 side of the body, opposite the birthmark, but they may affect the whole body. About 25 to 50% of people have weakness or paralysis on the side opposite the birthmark. Coordination may be lost. The weakness or paralysis sometimes worsens, especially if seizures cannot be controlled. About 50% of people have some Intellectual Disability . Intellectual disability is more severe in people whose seizures start before 2 years of age and cannot be controlled with medications. Development of motor and language skills may be delayed. Glaucoma may damage the optic nerve (which connects the brain to the eye), causing loss of vision, in the eye on the same side as the birthmark. The eyeball may enlarge and bulge out. Glaucoma may be present at birth or develop later. 