SUDEP stands for Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. SUDEP refers to deaths in people with epilepsy that are not from injury, drowning, or other known causes. Most, but not all, cases of SUDEP happen during or right after a seizure.

Researchers do not understand the exact cause of SUDEP, but these are possible reasons it happens:

The major risk factors that increase the chance of SUDEP are:

Other possible risk factors are:

Researchers estimate that for every 1,000 people with epilepsy, at least 1 person may die from SUDEP each year.

This means that each year in the United States, there are about 3,000 deaths due to SUDEP. But counting SUDEP cases is hard because SUDEP is not always included on death certificates.

SUDEP occurs more often in people ages 21 to 40 compared to other age groups.

Because SUDEP can happen unexpectedly to people who are so young, it can be very shocking for families and loved ones.

Research has shown that controlling seizures may lower the chance of SUDEP. If you have epilepsy, the most important way to do this is to take your seizure medicine as prescribed.

Other steps that might help lower the chance of SUDEP

Losing a loved one to SUDEP can be especially difficult because it’s so unexpected. The Epilepsy Foundation’s SUDEP Institute provides information and support to families who are grieving.

Parents of children with epilepsy can learn more about SUDEP in children, including tips on how to talk to your child’s doctor.

CDC supports research to help us understand SUDEP better. Together with the National Institutes of Health, CDC funds the Sudden Death in the Young Case Registry.