Management of status epilepticus in children

Treatment of SE is based on the age of the patient and the possible underlying etiology. Initial treatment should include a benzodiazepine (lorazepam 0.1 mg/kg or diazepam 0.5 mg/kg). Specimens for laboratory tests should be drawn early in the event of a prolonged seizure and geared toward the clinical presentation and age of the patient. If a seizure lasts longer than 10 minutes, phenobarbital 20 mg/kg dose should be administered with strict adherence to the proper rate of administration. Further seizure activity during drug administration can be treated with additional doses of lorazepam or diazepam. If a seizure lasts longer than 10 minutes, a second long-acting anticonvulsant should be administered, followed by induction of general anesthesia.