Hot water reflex epilepsy

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Hot water reflex epilepsy

ORPHA:166412Disease

Also called HWE

What it is

Hot water reflex epilepsy is a rare neurologic disease characterized by the onset of generalized or focal seizures following immersion of the head in hot water, or with hot water being poured over the head. Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures have been reported in rare cases.

Key facts

Prevalence
1-9 / 100 000
Age of onset
All ages
Inheritance
Autosomal dominant
Classified as
Disease

Prevalence figures describe populations, not individuals, and are often estimates from a single study. Where the figure is an incidence or a birth prevalence, it says so.

Gene

SLC1A1Disease-causing germline mutation(s)

ICD-10 codes

G40.5filed under a broader ICD-10 category — shared with 10 other rare diseases

ICD-10 has no distinct code for most rare diseases, so many are filed under the nearest available one. A shared code identifies the group, not this disease — the ORPHAcode above is what identifies it.

Related health topics

Reached through the ICD-10 categories this disease is filed under, so these describe the broader group rather than this disease specifically.

Benefit programs to look at

Programs whose eligibility touches the same ICD-10 categories. Eligibility is decided by the administering agency, never by this page.

Cross-references

MONDO 0013229OMIM 613339OMIM 613340UMLS C4706506

Orphadata Science: Free access data from Orphanet. © INSERM 1999. Data version 2026-06-23. Available under CC BY 4.0. This is a reference, not medical advice.

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