BEL AIR, Md. – A recent study has shed light on the potential link between seizures during sleep and sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC). Researchers at NYU Langone Health reported that analysis of home monitoring video captured the deaths of seven sleeping toddlers, indicating that seizures during sleep could be a potential cause of some cases of SUDC.
SUDC is the term used when seemingly healthy children above the age of one suddenly die in their sleep, similar to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in babies. However, there is very little known about SUDC, making it a challenging and often heartbreaking phenomenon for families who experience such a loss.
The study, published in the journal “Neurology,” identified that five of the toddlers died shortly after movements deemed to be a brief seizure by a team of medical specialists. This new evidence is significant as it offers the first direct evidence of a potential link between seizures and SUDC.
Dr. Orrin Devinsky, the senior author of the study and an NYU neurologist, commented on the significance of the video evidence, calling it “the best evidence we may ever get of what’s happened to these kids.” The study’s findings also noted that some toddlers had signs of mild infections, raising questions about the role of fever-related seizures in these tragic deaths.
SUDC is estimated to claim over 400 lives a year in the U.S., with the majority of deaths occurring during sleep. However, SUDC receives significantly less public attention and research funding compared to SIDS, despite the devastating impact it has on affected families.
While the study provides valuable insights, further research is needed to fully understand the potential risks and warning signs associated with SUDC. The hope is that continued research will ultimately lead to improved outcomes for children at risk, providing much-needed answers for families who have experienced the tragedy of SUDC.