BEL AIR, Md. – 17-month-old Hayden Fell’s parents thought it was just a regular bedtime until the next morning when they couldn’t wake him up. Unfortunately, Hayden had become one of many toddlers who seem healthy but suddenly die in their sleep. This mysterious phenomenon, known as SUDC or Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood, has left many families searching for answers. Researchers at NYU Langone Health have recently identified seizures during sleep as a potential cause of these tragic deaths after analyzing home monitoring videos that captured the deaths of seven toddlers.
Similar to SIDS in babies, SUDC occurs after a child’s first birthday, and little is known about it. Scientists suspected seizures may play a role, and a recent study provided the first direct evidence of a link. Five of the toddlers died shortly after movements deemed to be a brief seizure by a team of forensic pathologists.
According to the researchers, it’s challenging to determine if fevers triggered the seizures, as mild infections were present in several toddlers who died. Researchers are now looking into how to distinguish between children who are at risk of sudden death and those who are fine after a seizure.
SUDC is estimated to claim over 400 lives a year in the U.S., and although it receives less public attention and research funding than SIDS, it is a heartbreaking reality for many families. Unfortunately, the cause of Hayden’s death remains unknown, but his parents are hopeful that the video evidence will help lead to long-awaited answers.
In conclusion, scientists are just beginning to scratch the surface of understanding SUDC and its potential links to seizures. The recent study at NYU offers valuable insights, but more research is needed to shed light on this heartbreaking phenomenon that has affected hundreds of families across the country.