MORTALITY IN EPILEPSY

Observations were made as the result of curiosity about how frequently epilepsy is reported as a cause of death and it was startling to observe that 70 deaths were recorded as attributable to epilepsy.

Abstract

To the Editor:— In the past, physicians have not considered epilepsy as a frequent cause of death. Pathologists generally have felt that the only possible cause for death in the course of epilepsy is the condition known as status epilepticus. It is often said that no one dies in a seizure. From the pathologist's standpoint, a seizure is not in itself a cause for death. The following observations were made as the result of curiosity about how frequently epilepsy is reported as a cause of death. We also wished to determine what was meant by death "due to epilepsy" as reported on the death certificates that reached the Wisconsin State Board of Health. This board publicizes annually all deaths and their causes in the state of Wisconsin. It was startling to observe that 70 deaths were recorded as attributable to epilepsy. With the excellent cooperation of the Wisconsin State Board