More children with epilepsy are dying suddenly

Sudden unexpected death in children with epilepsy: Focus on dietary supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

“…The cause or causes of SUDEP still have not been fully elucidated; however, mechanisms that play a role in SUDEP are autonomic, i.e., respiratory and cardiovascular [10]. Although neglected in earlier literature, the last 20 years witnessed an increase in scientific research on SUDEP in both adults and children [1][2][3][4][5]9,[11][12][13]. Regarding SUDEP and children, some data in the literature must be mentioned.…”

“…Although neglected in earlier literature, the last 20 years witnessed an increase in scientific research on SUDEP in both adults and children [1][2][3][4][5]9,[11][12][13]. Regarding SUDEP and children, some data in the literature must be mentioned.A significant proportion of individuals with epilepsy belongs to the pediatric age group (18 years or younger), and around 25% of these patients have medically intractable epilepsy [13,14]. Like adults with epilepsy, the occurrence of SUDEP in children should not be overlooked.…”

“…Like adults with epilepsy, the occurrence of SUDEP in children should not be overlooked. In 2005, Weber and colleagues, through a cohort study with an eighteen-year follow-up, demonstrated a rate of SUDEP of 4.3 per 10,000 patient-years [12,13]. Considering a retrospective case series, Donner and collaborators showed that the rate of SUDEP in children was approximately 2/10,000 patient-years [13,15].…”

“…In 2005, Weber and colleagues, through a cohort study with an eighteen-year follow-up, demonstrated a rate of SUDEP of 4.3 per 10,000 patient-years [12,13]. Considering a retrospective case series, Donner and collaborators showed that the rate of SUDEP in children was approximately 2/10,000 patient-years [13,15]. In addition, when assessing the incidence of sudden unexpected death in pupils with severe epilepsy and learning difficulties enrolled at a special residential school, the rate of sudden death was higher in this specific group (1:295/year) [13,16].…”

“…Considering a retrospective case series, Donner and collaborators showed that the rate of SUDEP in children was approximately 2/10,000 patient-years [13,15]. In addition, when assessing the incidence of sudden unexpected death in pupils with severe epilepsy and learning difficulties enrolled at a special residential school, the rate of sudden death was higher in this specific group (1:295/year) [13,16]. In the same way, Terra and coworkers evaluated the occurrence of SUDEP in children over an 8-year period (a cohort of children aged between zero and 18 years) [13,17].…”