Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy in children: A focused review of incidence and risk factors

Anurag Saxena, Lliwen Jones, Rohit Shankar, Brendan McLean, Craig G.J. Newman, Khalid Hamandi*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) in children, although rare, needs critical attention given the tragic nature and devastating consequences for families and caregivers. True incidence is unknown and risk factors are not completely understood, more so in children compared with adults. A focused narrative review of available studies on paediatric SUDEP was undertaken to comprehend its risk factors and to develop strategies to recognise and where possible modify SUDEP risk and ultimately reduce incidence. We reviewed 16 population-based studies from various settings. We found overlapping risk factors from different studies. The prime risk factor is uncontrolled seizures. This review supports the view that children entering adolescence with optimal seizure control could be a key aspect in reducing adult mortality related to SUDEP. Ideally, clinicians would want to be able to predict prospective, individualised SUDEP risk, which is challenging due to a myriad of risk factors and an inherent non-homogeneous paediatric epilepsy population. Nevertheless, an adequate evidence base exists as evidenced by this review to support information giving and communication to support young people with epilepsy and their families in being active partners in recognising and reducing their SUDEP risk. More work particularly in the form of prospective studies and registries are needed to further clarify true incidence which may have been previously underestimated and to update risk factors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1064-1070
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry
Volume89
Issue number10
Early online date9 Apr 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2018

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Neurology (clinical)
  • Psychiatry and Mental Health

Keywords

  • epilepsy
  • non-clinician
  • paediatric neurology
  • post mortem
  • sudden death

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