SUDEP
Medical abbreviation · Neurology
| Stands for | Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
SUDEP stands for Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, a neurology abbreviation.
Sudden death of a person with epilepsy, usually during or after a seizure and often during sleep, without another identifiable cause. It affects about 1 in 1,000 adults with epilepsy each year and is the leading cause of epilepsy-related death in young people.
Example: Discussed SUDEP risk with family given nocturnal GTC seizures; seizure monitoring device recommended.
Usage notes
The 2017 American Academy of Neurology and American Epilepsy Society guideline recommends that clinicians tell patients about SUDEP, because frequent generalized tonic-clonic seizures are the main risk factor and better seizure control reduces risk. Nighttime supervision and seizure-detection devices may help. Pronounced "SOO-dep."
Related abbreviations
More neurology abbreviations
- SDH – Subdural hematoma
- SE – Status epilepticus
- SMA – Spinal muscular atrophy
- SPMS – Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
- SRS – Stereotactic radiosurgery
- SSEP – Somatosensory evoked potentials
- Sz – Seizure
- TBI – Traumatic brain injury
- TCD – Transcranial Doppler
- TGA – Transient global amnesia
- TIA – Transient ischemic attack
- TLE – Temporal lobe epilepsy
See all 131 neurology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.