Sudden unexplained death in children with epilepsy: a cohort study with an eighteen-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
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.


CONCLUSIONS
SUDEP is rare in childhood. Children with uncomplicated epilepsy seem not to be at risk.
Weber
Peter
P
Department of Neuropaediatrics, Basel University Children's Hospital, Basel, Switzerland. peter.weber@unibas.ch
Bubl
Reinhard
R
Blauenstein
Ursula
U
Tillmann
Bettina U
BU
Lütschg
Jürg
J
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012042:Registries; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology
D000927:Anticonvulsants