In this meta-analysis, researchers analyzed body positions of 253 cases of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), revealing that 73.3% of patients died in the prone position while 26.7% died in nonprone positions. In addition, all 11 cases of video-EEG-monitored SUDEP reported the prone position. In a subgroup of 88 SUDEP cases, the prone position was reported in 85.7% of cases of patients aged ≤40 years and 60% in patients >40 years. The authors suggest that prone position is a major risk factor for SUDEP, especially in patients aged ≤40 years.
Liebenthal JA, Wu S, Rose S, Ebersole JS, Tao JX. Association of prone position with sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Neurology. 2015;84(7):703-709.
