Epileptics at Higher Risk of Drowning

Ivanhoe Newswire

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Having a seizure while swimming is a potentially deadly danger for epileptics, but new information shows the risk is higher than researchers expected.

According to an analysis of data from 50 previous studies, people with epilepsy are 15 to 19 times more likely to drown than someone in the general population. Those who also had a learning disability, had been institutionalized or had brain surgery without becoming seizure-free are at the highest risk.

Children are at a relatively low risk. The researchers concluded this was because they are usually more closely supervised in the water. Study author Ley Sander, MD, FRCP, Ph.D., stressed that extra care must be taken when someone with epilepsy is engaged in any water activity. "It is important that people with epilepsy and their caregivers take steps to prevent these tragedies," Sander was quoted as saying

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Sander also recommended people with active epilepsy should shower instead of bathe, take medication regularly and have direct supervision when swimming.

SOURCE: Neurology, August 19, 2008

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