Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
09:57

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

Mortality following a first unprovoked seizure in children: a prospective study

Shlomo Shinnar1, Christine O'Dell, Anne T Berg

  • 1Department of Neurology, Montefiore Medical Center, The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10467, USA. SShinnar@aol.com

Neurology
|March 9, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Long-term follow-up of children with first unprovoked seizures revealed nine deaths. Mortality was not linked to seizures or medication, suggesting early treatment would not have changed outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Epilepsy Research
  • Clinical Outcomes

Background:

  • First unprovoked seizures in children require long-term outcome assessment.
  • Understanding mortality risk factors in pediatric epilepsy is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate long-term mortality in children experiencing their first unprovoked seizure.
  • To determine if early treatment influences mortality in this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study design.
  • Follow-up of 407 children with a first unprovoked seizure for a mean of 14.2 years.
  • Analysis of mortality causes and relation to seizure recurrence and medication.

Main Results:

  • Nine deaths occurred during the follow-up period.
  • Four deaths were unrelated to seizures in medication-free patients with no further seizures.
  • Five deaths occurred in patients with multiple seizures who were on medication.

Conclusions:

  • Mortality in children with a first unprovoked seizure is low.
  • Seizure recurrence and medication status were observed in fatal cases.
  • Treatment initiated after the first seizure would not have altered the observed mortality in this study.

More Related Videos

Use of a Wireless Video-EEG System to Monitor Epileptiform Discharges Following Lateral Fluid-Percussion Induced Traumatic Brain Injury09:16

Use of a Wireless Video-EEG System to Monitor Epileptiform Discharges Following Lateral Fluid-Percussion Induced Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: June 21, 2019

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy10:22

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Published on: December 6, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Epilepsy ll: Types01:22

Epilepsy ll: Types

Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.
Seizures ll: Types01:19

Seizures ll: Types

Seizures are sudden bursts of abnormal electrical discharge in the brain that interfere with normal function. They are commonly divided into three groups: focal seizures, generalized seizures, and other types that do not fit neatly into either category.Focal SeizuresFocal seizures begin in a single brain region. When awareness is preserved, they are called focal aware seizures and may cause sensations such as tingling, unusual smells, or flashing lights. When awareness is impaired, they are...