Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood: Study Reveals Sleep Seizure Link in Toddlers

Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood SUDS toddler sleep seizures SIDS

By E.Baloyo , Parent Herald Jan 05, 05:49 am

Photo: (Photo : GLENN CHAPMAN /Getty Images)

Sudden unexplained death in childhood claims another life of a 17-moth-old baby, Hayden Fell. Just like other infants who lost their lives in SUDS, baby Fell appeared to be looking healthy and very much alive before his father could not wake him up the next morning.

Now, researcher at NYU Langone Health may have connected a link that causes sudden unexplained death in childhood.

Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood May Be Linked To Toddler Sleep Seizures

Hayden's final night was seemingly ordinary, filled with the familial warmth of bedtime songs and laughter. However, the normalcy was shattered by the morning's grim discovery.

After analyzing the crib monitoring video that captured the deaths of seven infants, the researchers at NYU Langone Health reported that seizures during sleep are a potential cause of at least some cases of sudden unexplained death in childhood, or SUDC.

A team of researchers at NYU Langone Health identified sleep seizures as a potential cause of some SUDC cases.

Similar to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but occurring in older children, SUDC has long puzzled scientists. The new study, while small, is groundbreaking in providing direct evidence of a possible seizure connection in these unexplained deaths.

In the study, video analysis revealed that five of the seven toddlers, including Hayden, exhibited movements consistent with brief seizures prior to their deaths. This analysis was conducted by a collaborative team of forensic pathologists, a seizure specialist, and a sleep expert.

While febrile seizures are common and typically benign in young children, these findings raise critical questions about their potential role in some fatal cases.

Ongoing Research for the Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood

Hayden's experience is not an isolated one. Families across the nation, like the Fells from Maryland, have faced the harrowing ordeal of losing a child to SUDC.

Their stories echo the experience of Laura Gould, an NYU researcher who lost her daughter to SUDC and later co-founded the SUDC Foundation. These personal narratives add a profound depth to the scientific discovery, highlighting the urgent need for further research and understanding.

The study marks a vital step in SUDC research, but it is only the beginning. Experts emphasize the importance of continued investigation to differentiate between typical febrile seizures and those that might indicate a higher risk.

The aim is to develop preventative strategies and provide answers to families who have endured this unimaginable loss. Additionally, genetic research is also being conducted in the study to know if there are any genetic triggers that led to the babies dying suddenly.

Hayden's story is a stark reminder of the hundreds of seemingly healthy U.S. toddlers who, each year, pass away in their sleep for unexplained reasons.

In Hayden's case, his crib camera footage provided a critical clue, offering a new perspective on the mysterious SUDC phenomenon.