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Premature deaths among children with epilepsy - South Carolina, 2000-2011
Insights
Childhood epilepsy affects many children, with higher mortality risks for those with co-occurring conditions. Coordinated care may reduce premature deaths in pediatric epilepsy patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Epilepsy is a prevalent neurologic disorder in children, impacting an estimated 450,000 in the US in 2007.
- Many children with epilepsy have co-occurring conditions and limited access to comprehensive care.
- Existing mortality studies in pediatric epilepsy are often limited by small, unrepresentative samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe mortality patterns among children with epilepsy in South Carolina from 2000-2011.
- To identify demographic characteristics and underlying causes of death in this population.
- To inform the need for expanded mortality surveillance in pediatric epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of mortality data for children diagnosed with epilepsy in South Carolina.
- Examination of demographic factors and underlying causes of death.
- Calculation of overall mortality rates and annual risk for death.
Main Results:
- The overall mortality rate was 8.8 deaths per 1,000 person-years, with an annual risk of 0.84%.
- Developmental conditions, cardiovascular disorders, and injuries were the leading causes of death.
- Mortality risk was higher for children with epilepsy and co-occurring conditions.
Conclusions:
- Developmental conditions, cardiovascular disorders, and injuries are key contributors to mortality in children with epilepsy.
- Coordinated care across medical and social systems shows promise for improving outcomes and reducing premature death.
- Further research and integrated care models are needed to mitigate mortality risks in pediatric epilepsy.
Abstract:
Epilepsy is a common childhood neurologic disorder. In 2007, epilepsy affected an estimated 450,000 children aged 0-17 years in the United States. Approximately 53% of children with epilepsy and special health care needs have co-occurring conditions, and only about one third have access to comprehensive care. The few studies of mortality risk among children with epilepsy as compared with the general population generally find a higher risk for death among children with epilepsy with co-occurring conditions but a similar risk for death among children with epilepsy with no co-occurring conditions. However, samples from these mortality studies are often small, limiting comparisons, and are not representative. This highlights the need for expanded mortality surveillance among children with epilepsy to better understand their excess mortality. This report describes mortality among children with epilepsy in South Carolina during 2000-2011 by demographic characteristics and underlying causes of death. The overall mortality rate among children with epilepsy was 8.8 deaths per 1,000 person-years, and the annual risk for death was 0.84%. Developmental conditions, cardiovascular disorders, and injuries were the most common causes of death among children with epilepsy. Team-based care coordination across medical and nonmedical systems can improve outcomes and reduce health care costs for children with special health care needs, but they require more study among children with epilepsy. Ensuring appropriate and timely health care and social services for children with epilepsy, especially those with complications, might reduce the risk for premature death. Health care providers, social service providers, advocacy groups and others can work together to assess whether coordinated care can improve outcomes for children with epilepsy.
