Seizures Identified as Potential Cause of Sudden Unexplained Death in Children

NYU Langone Health Study Uses Video Analysis and Medical Records to Investigate Over 300 Cases of Sudden Unexplained Death in Children

Researchers at NYU Langone Health have identified brief seizures, accompanied by muscle convulsions, as a potential cause of sudden unexplained death in children (SUDC).
The study findings come from a registry of more than 300 SUDC cases, set up a decade ago by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Researchers used extensive medical record analysis and video evidence donated by families to document the inexplicable deaths of seven toddlers between the ages of 1 and 3 that were potentially attributable to seizures.
These seizures lasted less than 60 seconds and occurred within 30 minutes immediately prior to each child's death, say the study authors.
Further research is needed to determine precisely how seizures with or without fever may induce sudden death.