For pediatric sufferers with epilepsy, sleep apnea (SA) is related to an elevated threat for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and cardiac dysrhythmia, based on a examine revealed on-line Aug. 19 in Pediatrics.
Po-Ming Wu, M.D., from Nationwide Cheng Kung College in Taiwan, and colleagues examined the incidence and threat for SCA and cardiac dysrhythmia in pediatric sufferers with epilepsy and SA. Propensity scores had been used to match two cohorts: sufferers with epilepsy with and with out SA. Throughout five- and 10-year follow-up intervals, SCA and cardiac dysrhythmia had been assessed.
The researchers discovered that in contrast with sufferers with epilepsy alone or SA alone, sufferers with each epilepsy and SA had the very best incidence of SCA (50.5 versus 20.0 and 9.0 per 10,000 person-years, respectively). Throughout five- and 10-year follow-up intervals, sufferers with epilepsy and SA had an elevated threat for SCA (hazard ratios [HRs], 1.99 and 1.74, respectively); an elevated threat for cardiac dysrhythmia was seen over 10 years (HR, 2.06). The danger for SCA was elevated in affiliation with refractory epilepsy (odds ratio [OR], 1.74). An elevated SCA threat was seen in affiliation with long-term steady optimistic airway strain remedy (OR, 3.41), whereas a diminished threat was seen with adenotonsillectomy (OR, 0.40).
“These findings highlight the importance of individualized treatment strategies in pediatric patients with epilepsy and comorbid SA to reduce the risk of SCA,” the authors write.
Extra info:
Po-Ming Wu et al, Threat of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Kids With Epilepsy and Sleep Apnea, Pediatrics (2025). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2024-069635
Quotation:
Sleep apnea will increase sudden cardiac arrest threat in youngsters with epilepsy (2025, August 22)
retrieved 22 August 2025
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