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Darrell Vincent Lewis Jr.

Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics
Pediatrics, Neurology
Box 3936 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
125 Bell Bldg, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Current Research Efforts:
Explore the relationship between prolonged febrile convulsions, temporal lobe epilepsy and hippocampal sclerosis; The hypothesis that prolonged febrile convulsions cause hippocampal injury that evolves to sclerosis and then to temporal lobe epilepsy has been promulgated for decades since the advent of surgical treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy. However, this concept has never been addressed with a prospective clinical study. With the availability of magnetic resonance imaging techniques capable of discerning hippocampal edema and measuring hippocampal volume, patients suffering from these seizures can now be studied acutely and chronically to determine if hippocampal injury does occur during them and under what clinical circumstances. We are conducting a longterm study of this phenomenon in cooperation with 5 other medical centers which will prospectively enroll 200 infants presenting with febrile status epilepticus and follow these infants for 10 - 15 years with sequential neuroimaging, electroencephalographic and developmental testing to determine the long term consequences of these infantile seizures.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics · 2021 - Present Pediatrics, Neurology, Pediatrics

Recent Publications


Hippocampal sclerosis and temporal lobe epilepsy following febrile status epilepticus: The FEBSTAT study.

Journal Article Epilepsia · June 2024 OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine whether hippocampal T2 hyperintensity predicts sequelae of febrile status epilepticus, including hippocampal atrophy, sclerosis, and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. METHODS: Acute magnetic resonance imaging ... Full text Link to item Cite

MRI for assessing the impact of febrile status epilepticus and predicting outcomes

Chapter · January 1, 2022 Over the past decade, MRI studies have revealed that febrile status epilepticus (FSE) can lead to acute hippocampal signal changes that likely signify swelling/edema. In some cases, these volume changes, apparent within days, are accompanied by a visibly i ... Full text Cite

Plasma cytokines associated with febrile status epilepticus in children: A potential biomarker for acute hippocampal injury.

Journal Article Epilepsia · June 2017 OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to explore the association between plasma cytokines and febrile status epilepticus (FSE) in children, as well as their potential as biomarkers of acute hippocampal injury. METHODS: Analysis was performed on residual samples of childr ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Consequences of prolonged febrile seizures in childhood

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Albert Einstein College of Medicine · 2017 - 2022

Consequences of prolonged febrile seizures in childhood

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Albert Einstein College of Medicine · 2013 - 2017

Best Pharmaceutical for Children Act (BPCA): Use of Meropenem in Infants

Clinical TrialCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2007 - 2010

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Minnesota, Twin Cities · 1969 M.D.