STATUS EPILEPTICUS IN INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN TREATED WITH PARENTERAL DIAZEPAM

The use of parenteral diazepam in the treatment of status epilepticus in 37 infants and young children is described. In 18 cases, prompt and lasting control of the seizures followed a single (usually intramuscular) injection of the drug. In 9 cases more than one injection was required, and in 8 cases other anticonvulsants had been given, often before admission to hospital. Eight patients died, 2 of whom had diabetes mellitus, and though there was no evidence that diazepam was responsible, caution is urged regarding the use of the drug in similar circumstances, pending further research. One case of reversible respiratory depression occurred after the use of the drug in a hypoxic infant. Subject to the above observations it is concluded that parenteral diazepam is an effective and safe anticonvulsant for the treatment of status epilepticus in infants and young children, and the view that this is a 'first choice' drug is supported.