Kevin Gurcharran1, Zachary M Grinspan2. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States; New-York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, United States. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States; New-York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, United States; Department of Healthcare Policy & Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States. Electronic address: zag9005@med.cornell.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To summarize the epidemiology, morbidity, mortality, and costs of status epilepticus (SE) in the pediatric population. METHOD: Review of the medical literature. RESULTS: The overall incidence of pediatric SE is roughly 20 per 100,000 children per year, with overall mortality of 3%. Underlying etiology is the biggest risk factor for SE, with symptomatic (acute > remote) etiologies associated with worse outcomes. The most common cause of SE in children is febrile SE, though this entity occurs primarily in early childhood. After a first episode, the risk of recurrence is similar to the risk after a first unprovoked seizure (25-40%). SE is expensive, regularly costing more than $10,000 per episode and often more than $100,000 for refractory cases. CONCLUSION: SE is not an uncommon neurologic emergency and depending on the associated etiology can carry significant morbidity, mortality, and cost especially if treatment is not performed in a timely manner.
PURPOSE: To summarize the epidemiology, morbidity, mortality, and costs of status epilepticus (SE) in the pediatric population. METHOD: Review of the medical literature. RESULTS: The overall incidence of pediatric SE is roughly 20 per 100,000 children per year, with overall mortality of 3%. Underlying etiology is the biggest risk factor for SE, with symptomatic (acute > remote) etiologies associated with worse outcomes. The most common cause of SE in children is febrile SE, though this entity occurs primarily in early childhood. After a first episode, the risk of recurrence is similar to the risk after a first unprovoked seizure (25-40%). SE is expensive, regularly costing more than $10,000 per episode and often more than $100,000 for refractory cases. CONCLUSION: SE is not an uncommon neurologic emergency and depending on the associated etiology can carry significant morbidity, mortality, and cost especially if treatment is not performed in a timely manner.