Sunflower Syndrome: Shining Light on a Childhood Seizure Disorder

This case report describes a 9-year-old girl who presented with hand-waving episodes resulting in a diagnosis of sunflower syndrome, a form of epilepsy. Although sunflower syndrome is rare, it has characteristic symptoms that imitate other behaviors that present in pediatric primary care. Photosensitivity is the hallmark of this seizure type. Patients look toward the sun or bright light with hand-waving episodes, often without impaired consciousness. Sunflower syndrome is initially misdiagnosed as tics or stereotyped behaviors.

Source: The Journal for Nurse Practitioners - November 2, 2023 Category: Nursing Authors: Sharon B. Stevenson, William D. Walters Tags: Case Report Source Type: research