Complex partial status epilepticus in childhood

Pediatr Neurol. 1995 Sep;13(2):137-41. doi: 10.1016/0887-8994(95)00140-b.

Abstract

We report 5 pediatric patients (2 male, 3 female; age range: 4-8 years) with complex partial status epilepticus (CPSE). Four patients had previous illnesses and mild motor or mental retardation. In 2 patients, CPSE was induced by inappropriate management or selection of antiepileptic drugs. Clinical features varied and automatisms were observed in 3 patients. In 1 patient, decreased physical tone with syncope and impaired consciousness with amaurosis were observed. The episodes of CPSE were continuous in 3 patients and recurrent in 2 patients. In 4 patients, ictal electroencephalographic (EEG) findings, including video-EEG analyses of 3 patients, demonstrated persistent focal epileptic features. Intravenous diazepam abolished CPSE in 3 patients with brief periods of definite EEG localizations remaining. In 4 patients, seizure prognoses were favorable after appropriate treatments; in 1 patient, seizures were intractable even after antiepileptic drug administration.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diazepam / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Electroencephalography* / drug effects
  • Epilepsy, Complex Partial / diagnosis*
  • Epilepsy, Complex Partial / drug therapy
  • Evoked Potentials / drug effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Neurologic Examination / drug effects
  • Status Epilepticus / diagnosis*
  • Status Epilepticus / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Diazepam