Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Pediatric SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) is an uncommon event, but its unpredictability has rendered the issue very important to be addressed, under all points of view: medical, moral and legal one. The death of a child has been always considered a dramatic event for the Albanian families, and when it overcomes unexpectedly the emotional reactions might even be more exaggerated.
DISCUSSION
Debates about truth-telling on the prognosis, or even on the probability of a sudden death related to the main diagnosis (epilepsy) are old and controversial. Risk factors for SUDEP have been formulated and strategies to confront them have been put in place; however medical (pharmacological) compliance seems by large the most important protective factor.
CONCLUSION
To our opinion, disclosing the risk of a sudden death to the family on a child suffering from epilepsy is a necessary act; timing and ways of disclosure are details that need to be refined case-by-case, in a situation where a general consensus or guidelines are lacking. A step-by-step approach and a gradual informing are helpful and psychologically acceptable from the parents or other relatives.

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Authors

Kruja J, Vyshka G

Institution

Service of Neurology, University Hospital Centre Mother Theresa, Tirana, Albania.

Source

Medicinski arhiv 66:3 2012 pg 201-3

MeSH

Albania
Child
Death, Sudden
Epilepsy
Humans
Parents
Risk Factors
Stress, Psychological
Truth Disclosure

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22822624