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Sudden unexplained death in children with epilepsy: A cohort study with an eighteen‐year follow‐up
Author(s) -
Weber Peter,
Bubl Reinhard,
Blauenstein Ursula,
Tillmann Bettina U,
Lütschg Jürg
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2005.tb01940.x
Subject(s) - medicine , epilepsy , pediatrics , incidence (geometry) , cohort , cohort study , sudden death , psychiatry , physics , optics
Aim: Sudden unexplained death is a significant cause of mortality in adults with epilepsy. Only a few data exist about this risk in childhood. Methods: Cases of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) up to the age of 18 y occurring at our hospital between 1984 and 2001 were identified. The incidence rate was calculated on the basis of diagnosed epileptics registered with a statutory disability insurance scheme. Results: Four cases of SUDEP were identified during the 18‐y period. The incidence of SUDEP was 4.3 per 10 000 patient‐years. All children showed polytherapy‐refractory epilepsy, developmental retardation and early‐onset epilepsy. Two witnessed cases had shown no previous signs of seizure. Conclusion: SUDEP is rare in childhood. Children with uncomplicated epilepsy seem not to be at risk.