Status Epilepticus in Children

Status epilepticus (SE) is a life-threatening emergency that requires prompt treatment, including basic neuroresuscitation principles (the ABCs), antiepileptic drugs to stop the seizure and identification of etiology. It results from an inability to normally abort an isolated seizure either due to ineffective inhibition, or due to abnormally persistent excessive excitation. Symptomatic SE is more common in younger children and the likely etiology depends on the age of the child. Treating the precipitating cause may prevent ongoing neurologic injury and facilitates seizure control. Benzodiapenes, phenytoin and phenobarbital form the mainstay of treatment. A systematic treatment regimen, planned in advance, is needed, including one for refractory status epilepticus (RSE). Patient education and home management of seizures is important to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with SE.