Sec. 3-3016.5. Sudden, unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
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Sec. 3-3016.5. Sudden, unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
(a)All autopsies conducted in this State shall include an inquiry to determine whether the death was a direct result of a seizure or epilepsy. If the findings in an autopsy of a medical examiner, examining physician, or coroner are consistent with known or suspected sudden, unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), then the medical examiner, examining physician, or coroner shall:
(1)cause to be indicated on the death certificate that SUDEP is the cause or suspected
cause of death; and
(2)forward a copy of the death certificate to the North American SUDEP Registry at the
Langone Medical Center at New York University within 30 days.
(b)For the purposes of this Section, "sudden, unexpected death in epilepsy" refers to a death in a patient previously diagnosed with epilepsy that is not due to trauma, drowning, status epilepticus, or other known causes, but for which there is often evidence of an associated seizure. A finding of sudden, unexpected death in epilepsy is definite when clinical criteria are met and autopsy reveals no alternative cause of death, such as stroke, myocardial infarction, or drug intoxication, although there may be evidence of a seizure.