The Epidemiology of Status Epilepticus

Abstract

Status epilepticus (SE) is a relatively common neurologic emergency, associated with a high mortality. Over the past decade, several large-scale studies have used national data sets to investigate SE incidence and mortality, building upon the foundations established by earlier population-based studies. This chapter reviews methods used for studying the Epidemiology of SE, the risk factors for developing SE, and the parameters that influence mortality associated with SE. Special consideration is given to the pediatric and elderly populations, who are at most risk for developing SE.