Famous US YouTuber Annabelle Ham dies at 22 after ‘epileptic event’; know more

The family said that Annabelle was beautiful and inspiring, and lived life to the fullest. “Everyone she met was inspired by her energy and the light inside her soul that shined too bright. She was, and will forever be, so so loved,” they wrote.

Seeking prayers and privacy during this difficult time, Annabelle’s family asked everyone to not spread rumours or speculations. “There will be a time to share more details and to go deeper into her life. Her accounts will be used to share what she went through and the joys she brought to all of us. Unnecessary comments only serve to hurt us all, this is a time for remembrance and mourning.”

According to Dr Mohan Krishna J, consultant neurologist, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, epilepsy is characterised by recurrent seizures or fits. “They can be broadly categorised as focal (involving one part of the brain) and generalised (involving both parts of the brain,” he shared.

Generalised tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) is the most severe form of epileptic event, Dr Mohan said, sharing that among people living with epilepsy, 0.3-6 per cent suffer from a sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). “SUDEP occurs preferentially in young adults and is a major cause of premature epilepsy-related mortality. SUDEP is defined as sudden, unexpected, non-traumatic, non-drowning death in an individual with epilepsy, witnessed or unwitnessed, in which autopsy does not reveal an anatomic or toxicologic cause for the death. However, it is difficult to distinguish SUDEP and epilepsy-related drownings,” he explained.

Dr Naveen Kumar, Senior Neurologist, Kamineni Hospitals, Hyderabad said that the causes of epileptic events are diverse and vary from person to person. “Common triggers include genetic factors, brain injuries, brain tumours, infections, developmental disorders, and birth-related factors. Genetic conditions can make individuals more susceptible to epilepsy, while traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and infections affecting the brain may trigger seizures,” he said.

He added that brain tumours can also lead to epileptic events. “Certain infections like meningitis or encephalitis may result in epilepsy and developmental disorders such as cerebral palsy or neurofibromatosis can be associated with the condition. Additionally, complications during childbirth can sometimes lead to epilepsy later in life,” Dr Kumar said.

Further, Dr Mohan highlighted that epilepsy syndromes causing recurrent GTCS are the most important treatable risk factors for SUDEP. “Other causes include mutations in sodium and potassium channels or other genes which are expressed both in brain and heart have increased risk of SUDEP but are very rare. These epileptic events occur frequently in sleep, especially in the prone position and in people who have coexisting apnoea,” Dr Mohan said.

He added that suppression of brainstem centers controlling the heart and respiratory systems during or immediately after an epileptic event causes asystole, leading to sudden health. According to the expert, SUDEP affects young adults more with males being more commonly affected than females.

“Identification of epileptic syndrome and control of seizures is the most important step in preventing the calamity of SUDEP/epileptic event,” he concluded.

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