Treatment of refractory convulsive status epilepticus in children: other therapies.

James W Wheless

Journal: Seminars in pediatric neurology 2011;17(3):190-4

PMID: 20727489

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Refractory convulsive status epilepticus occurs when seizures are not controlled with initial benzodiazepine therapy or a subsequent anticonvulsant drug. Typically drug-induced anesthesia is then pursued with midazolam or a barbiturate. This results in prolonged, intensive care, which requires meticulous attention to medical management to minimize complications. When seizures persist other options must be considered. These include (1) other medications, (2) surgery, (3) the ketogenic diet, (4) hypothermia, (5) inhalational anesthetic agents, and (6) immune modulating therapy. This review addresses the literature related to the use of the latter (4) treatment options. I will discuss the role of each treatment and review the evidence for it's use, along with possible side-effects.

Address: LeBonheur Children's Hospital, University of Tennessee Health Science Center and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA. [email protected]

DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2010.06.007

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MeSH Terms: Anesthetics, Inhalation, Anticonvulsants, Child, Diet, Ketogenic, Drug Resistance, Humans, Hypothermia, Induced, Immunomodulation, Status Epilepticus