As we’ve said so far , people who continue to have seizures are at greater risk of a number of complications, which is why preventing seizures and additional problems must be part of seizure management. The most serious complications are injuries and, especially, dying from seizures. This section gives frank information about one of the causes of dying from seizures called “Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy”, which is abbreviated SUDEP.

What is SUDEP?

SUDEP is the sudden, unexpected death of someone with epilepsy, who was otherwise healthy, and for whom no other cause of death can be found.

SUDEP is rare, and accounts for less than 2% of deaths among people with epilepsy. The risk is about 1 in 3,000 per year for all people with epilepsy. It can be as high as 1 in 300 for those who have frequent, uncontrollable seizures and take high doses of seizure medicines. SUDEP is extremely rare in children.

What happens?

The person with epilepsy is often found dead in bed and doesn't appear to have had a convulsive seizure. About a third of them do show evidence of a seizure close to the time of death. They are often found lying face down. No one is sure about the cause of death in SUDEP. Some researchers think that a seizure causes an irregular heart rhythm. More recent studies have suggested that the person may suffocate from impaired breathing, fluid in the lungs, and being face down on the bedding.

Until further answers are available, doctors advise that the best known way to lessen the risk of SUDEP is to control seizures. That is the main reason for being “seizure prepared” and, particularly, to follow the suggestions in the section called Managing Treatment (in development).

For more information:

• SUDEP

Continue to Types of Seizures: Overview

Topic Editor: Steven C. Schachter, MD and Patricia O. Shafer, RN, MN.
Last Reviewed:5/25/07