How to Pronounce Landau-Kleffner Syndrome
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Landau-Kleffner Syndrome Pronunciation
LAN-dow KLEF-ner SIN-drohm
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
LAN
stress here
dow KLEF
ner SIN
drohm
4 syllables
What is Landau-Kleffner Syndrome?
A rare childhood neurological disorder characterized by the sudden or gradual loss of the ability to understand and use spoken language (acquired epileptic aphasia), accompanied by epileptic seizures and abnormal EEG activity, usually occurring in previously normal children between ages 3 and 7. The cause is unknown and treatment includes anticonvulsants and corticosteroids.
Questions About Landau-Kleffner Syndrome
How do you pronounce Landau-Kleffner Syndrome?
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Say it like this: LAN-dow KLEF-ner SIN-drohm. The stress falls on the first syllable of each word—LAN (in Landau), KLEF (in Kleffner), and SIN (in Syndrome). Put the most emphasis on that opening LAN sound, and you'll have it right.
What are the syllables in Landau-Kleffner Syndrome?
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Break it into three main parts: LAN-dau (2 syllables) / KLEF-ner (2 syllables) / SYN-drome (2 syllables). So the full term has six syllables total when you say it all together.
What's the most common mistake people make when saying this term?
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Many people put the stress on the second syllable and say lan-DOW instead of LAN-dow, or they pronounce Kleffner like KLEF-fen instead of KLEF-ner. Remember: the stress belongs on the first syllable of each word, and Kleffner ends with a 'ner' sound, not 'nen.'
Is there a shorter way to refer to Landau-Kleffner Syndrome?
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Yes, doctors often use the abbreviation LKS (spelled out as L-K-S) as shorthand. You can also hear it called 'acquired epileptic aphasia,' which is a more descriptive name for the same condition.
Why is it called Landau-Kleffner Syndrome?
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The syndrome is named after the two doctors who first described it: Landau and Kleffner. In medicine, it's common to name conditions after the doctors who identified them. The word 'syndrome' just means a group of symptoms or signs that happen together.
What does 'aphasia' mean in the alternative name 'acquired epileptic aphasia'?
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Aphasia (pronounced uh-FAY-zhuh) is a word from Greek meaning 'without speech' or loss of language ability. The word 'acquired' means it develops after birth rather than being present from birth, so 'acquired epileptic aphasia' describes a sudden language difficulty linked to seizure activity.
How would you use Landau-Kleffner Syndrome in a sentence?
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You might hear it used like this: 'The child was referred to a neurologist for evaluation after the doctors suspected Landau-Kleffner Syndrome.' Or: 'Landau-Kleffner Syndrome typically appears in young children who were developing normally before the condition started.'
What does the word 'syndrome' mean on its own?
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Syndrome (SIN-drohm) comes from Greek and means 'running together.' In medicine, it refers to a group of signs or characteristics that tend to occur together and make up a recognizable condition. You'll see this word in many medical term names.