Review article: Paediatric status epilepticus in the pre-hospital setting: An update
Jeremy Furyk1,2,3, Kerriane Watt1, Theophilus I Emeto1
1College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Insights
Paediatric status epilepticus (SE) requires urgent pre-hospital care. This review examines evidence and guidelines for managing paediatric SE in Australia and New Zealand to improve patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Neurology
- Pre-hospital Care
Background:
- Pediatric status epilepticus (SE) is a critical medical emergency.
- Effective pre-hospital management is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
- Recent clinical data and guidelines impact SE care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence for pre-hospital pediatric SE care.
- To assess current pre-hospital practice guidelines in Australia and New Zealand.
- To identify areas for improvement in pre-hospital SE management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of multicentre trials and observational studies.
- Analysis of current definitions and management guidelines for SE.
- Assessment of regional pre-hospital protocols in Australasia.
Main Results:
- Current evidence influences pre-hospital SE management.
- Variability exists in pre-hospital protocols across Australasia.
- Specific aspects of pre-hospital care require enhancement.
Conclusions:
- Evidence-based pre-hospital care is vital for pediatric SE.
- Standardization and improvement of pre-hospital protocols are needed.
- Collaboration among specialists is essential for advancing pediatric SE care.
Abstract:
Paediatric status epilepticus (SE) is a medical emergency and a common critical condition confronting pre-hospital providers. Management in the pre-hospital environment is challenging but considered extremely important as a potentially modifiable factor on outcome. Recent data from multicentre clinical trials, quality observational studies and consensus documents have influenced management in this area, and is important to both pre-hospital providers and emergency physicians. The objective of this review was to: (i) present an overview of the available evidence relevant to pre-hospital care of paediatric SE; and (ii) assess the current pre-hospital practice guidelines in Australia and New Zealand. The review outlines current definitions and guidelines of SE management, regional variability in pre-hospital protocols within Australasia and aspects of pre-hospital care that could potentially be improved. Contemporary data is required to determine current practice in our setting. It is important that paediatric neurologists, emergency physicians and pre-hospital care providers are all engaged in future endeavours to improve clinical care and knowledge translation efforts for this patient group.
