title: Community-based study of mortality in children with epilepsy.
abstract: We used the records of a statewide pediatric mortality surveillance system to determine mortality rates and causes of death in children with epilepsy. Of the 1,095 children aged 1-14 years who died in the state of Victoria during the study period 1985-1989, 93 had a history of epilepsy. Six children (6%) had primary epilepsy, and 87 (94%) had secondary epilepsy. Death was (a) directly attributable to epilepsy in 20 (22%), including 11 with sudden unexplained death, (b) not directly attributable to epilepsy in 59 (63%), and (c) of undetermined cause in 14 (15%). No classifiable death occurred as a direct result of status epilepticus. The average annual mortality rates for children with epilepsy were (a) death from all causes, 30.6 in 10,000 [95% confidence interval (CI) 19.7, 47.5], and (b) death attributable to epilepsy, 6.6 in 10,000 (95% CI 3.7, 11.8). Relative to the all-cause mortality rate in children without epilepsy, the all-cause mortality rate ratios were (a) all children with epilepsy, 13.2 (95% CI 8.5, 20.7); (b) primary epilepsy, 1.1 (95% CI 0.5, 2.6); and (c) secondary epilepsy, 49.7 (95% CI 31.7, 77.9). The mortality rate ratios for secondary epilepsy relative to primary epilepsy were (a) death from all causes, 43.5 (95% CI 19.0, 99.5); and (b) death attributable to epilepsy, 9.0 (95% CI 3.3, 24.8). Epilepsy appeared on the death certificate of only 11 of 20 (55%) children whose deaths were attributable to epilepsy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Carlin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000453:epidemiology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology