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Dravet syndrome: Suspect-and-test checklist for clinicians

A one-page worksheet that turns the full Dravet syndrome diagnosis guide into something you can use at the point of care: what to look for, what to order, which results should not end the workup, and who else to test or refer.

Who it is forClinicians and care teams who may see Dravet syndrome before it is diagnosed, including primary care, the specialists named in the guide, and referral or genetics coordinators.
When to use itWhen Dravet syndrome is on the differential, when a patient has several red flags, or when you are preparing a referral or a second opinion.

How to use it, section by section

  1. Red flags present: Tick each finding the patient has. They are grouped by body system so you can scan quickly.
  2. Already labeled as: Tick earlier diagnoses on the chart that the sources say are often given first.
  3. Family to test: Note relatives who may need testing, and record when symptoms began and which specialists have already been seen.
  4. Testing, in order: Tick each test as you order it and write the result on its line. The order follows the published sources.
  5. Results that do not rule it out: A reminder of findings that can look reassuring but do not exclude Dravet syndrome.
  6. Specialists: Tick the referral, then write who it went to and any notes.
Two ways to fill it inPrint it blank and write on it, or tick boxes and type on this screen first, then print or save as a PDF. Keep it with the chart or send it with the referral.
PrivacyNothing you type is sent or saved. It stays in this browser tab and disappears when you close it. Use patient initials, not full identifiers.

What it is not: Not a diagnostic score, a protocol or coding advice. It summarizes published sources, and clinical judgment and the treating clinician govern. Every point is sourced in the full Dravet syndrome guide.

One Letter page. Use your browser's print or save as PDF.Full guide with sources
Suspect-and-test checklist
Dravet syndrome

Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, SCN1A in more than 85%. Normal EEG and MRI early do not exclude it.

ICD-10-CMG40.833, G40.834Trial Friend for Clinicians

1Red flags present

First seizures, age 1 to 20 months

Triggers

After the first year

Medicines and family

2Already labeled as

3Family to test

4Testing, in the order the sources describe

  1. Apply the consensus testing criteriaNormal infant 2 to 15 months, first prolonged hemiclonic seizure or status, with fever or vaccination, no other cause.
    Result
  2. Brain MRIRecommended to exclude other causes; usually normal in Dravet syndrome.
    Result
  3. EEGOften normal before 12 months; discharges appear in most by age 5.
    Result
  4. Epilepsy multigene panel with deletion/duplicationPreferred over SCN1A alone. Sequencing misses whole-exon deletions.
    Result
  5. Hattori score if febrile seizures before age 1Score of 6 or more prompted SCN1A analysis.
    Result
  6. Parental testing after a positive resultVariant de novo in 76 of 80 children.
    Result
  7. No variant foundAn ILAE alert, not an exclusion. Review the phenotype and other genes.
    Result

5Results the sources say do not rule it out

  • Normal MRI or a normal first-year EEG. Both are expected early in Dravet syndrome.
  • Negative SCN1A sequencing alone. Deletions need deletion/duplication analysis.
  • Seizures blamed on a vaccine. Vaccination may only bring SCN1A Dravet onset earlier.
  • No family history. Most SCN1A variants in Dravet syndrome are de novo.

6Specialists the sources name

Diagnosis codes: G40.833 Dravet syndrome, intractable, with status epilepticus; G40.834 Dravet syndrome, intractable, without status epilepticusCodes patients often carry before diagnosis are listed in the online guide.
Full guide and sourcesEvery point here is sourced in the online guide, which also has a patient note to print.
Trial Friend, trialfriend.com/for-clinicians. Key sources: 2022 international consensus; ILAE 2022 position statement; ILAE diagnostic manual (2024); ILAE diagnostic criteria (2024); ILAE differential diagnoses (2024); GeneReviews (2022); all 18 with links in the online guide. Checked November 10, 2026. A reference checklist for licensed clinicians that summarizes published sources. It is not a diagnostic tool, a score or a protocol, and it does not replace clinical judgment, local practice or the prescribing information. Not coding advice. Trial Friend never receives anything written or typed on this sheet.