Status epilepticus in 37 Chinese children: aetiology and outcome

The aetiology and clinical features of status epilepticus (SE) are described, with the aim of defining any relationship between risk factors and clinical outcome.

A retrospective review was performed of 37 Chinese children admitted to Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, from 1989 to 1993 with the diagnosis of SE.

Eighty-six per cent had onset before 5 years of age; 60% were due to an acute central nervous system (CNS) insult, 11% were idiopathic, 13% had a pre-existing CNS insult, 5% were febrile and 11% were due to progressive encephalopathy. An abnormal neurological status was present in 24% before the episode of SE, and a history of seizures before the onset of SE was present in 35% of patients. Fifty-four per cent of the episodes of SE were generalized. The mortality rate was 11% during the period of follow up but no deaths were attributed to SE. Neurological sequelae were observed in 27% of patients and recurrent SE occurred in 12%.

In those patients with normal neurological status before an episode of SE and without acute CNS insult or progressive encephalopathy, the outcome was favourable.