Death and Seizures
Most people with epilepsy live a full life span. However, there are potential factors associated with living with epilepsy and seizures that may increase the risk of early death. This page is designed to give accurate information about Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). Read our brochure to learn how to reduce the risk of SUDEP and how to talk to your doctor about SUDEP.
What is SUDEP? A death is attributed to SUDEP when a seemingly healthy person with epilepsy dies unexpectedly, and no reason for the death can be found. Common criteria:
- The person had epilepsy, defined as recurrent unprovoked seizures.
- The person died unexpectedly while in a reasonable state of health.
- The death occurred suddenly.
- The death occurred during normal activity, often during sleep and found in or near the bed.
- An obvious medical cause of death could not be determined at autopsy.
- The death was not the direct result of status epilepticus
What causes SUDEP? More research is needed to fully understand what causes SUDEP. Suggested potential causes may include but are not limited to:
- Irregularities in heart rhythm
- Breathing dysfunction
- Disturbance in brain circulation
- Seizure-induced hormone and metabolic changes
- Risk factors most consistently associated with SUDEP:
- Poorly controlled seizures
- Treatment with multiple anticonvulsant drugs
- Having long standing chronic epilepsy
Other risk factors include:
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizures
- Seizures that happen during sleep
- Not taking anticonvulsant medicines as prescribed
- Stopping the use of anticonvulsant medicine abruptly
- Developmental delays
- Onset of epilepsy at a young age
Additional SUDEP Resources: |
