Pediatric Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy

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• 作者：Anne Marie Morse ; DO^a ; Sanjeev V. Kothare ; MD^b ; ^{Sanjeev.Kothare@nyumc.org" class="auth_mail" title="E-mail the corresponding author}
• 关键词：sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) ; sudden infant death syndrome ; epilepsy ; children
• 刊名：Pediatric Neurology
• 出版年：2016
• 出版时间：April 2016
• 年：2016
• 卷：57
• 期：Complete
• 页码：7-16
• 全文大小：614 K

文摘

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder among children and adolescents that is associated with increased mortality for numerous reasons. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy is a critically important entity for physicians who treat patients with epilepsy. Many pediatric neurologists are hesitant to discuss this condition with patients and families because of the lower risk in the pediatric age group.

Methods

We searched for studies published between January 2000 and June 2015 by means of a PubMed search and a cumulative review of reference lists of all relevant publications, using the keywords “sudden unexpected death in epilepsy patients,” “pediatric SUDEP,” “sudden unexpected death in epilepsy patients and children,” “sudden unexpected death in children” and “sudden infant death syndrome.”

Results

SUDEP is a rare condition in children. Its mechanism is poorly understood and may have a distinct pathogenesis from adult sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Limited comfort, experience, and knowledge to provide appropriate education about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy leads to fewer physicians discussing this subject leading to less informed and less prepared patients and families.

Conclusion

We provide a detailed review of the literature on pediatric SUDEP, including the definition, classification, and proposed mechanisms of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy in children, as well as discuss the incidence in the pediatric population and risk factors in children, concluding with possible prevention strategies.