The burden of pediatric status epilepticus: Epidemiology, morbidity, mortality, and costs

• Published in: Seizure (London, England) England), 2019-05, Vol.68, p.3-8
• Main Authors: Gurcharran, Kevin, Grinspan, Zachary M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Child; Child, Preschool; Epidemiology; Humans; Infant; Mortality; Pediatrics; Review; Status epilepticus; Status Epilepticus - economics; Status Epilepticus - epidemiology; Status Epilepticus - etiology
• ISSN: 1059-1311; 1532-2688
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2018.08.021

•The incidence of pediatric SE is 20 per 100,000 children per year.•The overall mortality of 3%.•Symptomatic etiology (acute more so than remote) is the most important risk factor for morbidity, and mortality.•SE is expensive, regularly costing more than $10,000 per episode and often more than $100,000 for refractory cases. To summarize the epidemiology, morbidity, mortality, and costs of status epilepticus (SE) in the pediatric population. Review of the medical literature. 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. 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.