[Emergency management of convulsions and prevention of status epilepticus with rectal diazepam administered by parents].
The parents of 17 children with a history of convulsions, were shown how to administer liquid diazepam through the rectum using a 1 mL insulin syringe, in order to alleviate a convulsion at home or any where ever this may occur. Eight of the children had suffered from repetitive and/or prolonged non-temperature related convulsions, four had epileptic status and five had suffered from simple fever related convulsions, complicated in four and in a convulsive status in 1; the number of fever-related convulsions ranged between 1 and 6 per child and those non temperature related ranged from one daily to once a month. The observation of the children was done in an 88 month period (between 1 and nine months per child, averaging 5.2 months). In seven of the children, it was required of the parents to administer rectal diazepam a total of 90 times (fluctuating between 2 and 25 doses per child), with no complications, a dose of 0.5 mg/kg was administered in those patients whose convulsions lasted over 5 minutes or more. In 75 occasions, the convulsion stopped within a period of 2 to 5 minutes, in 12 other times there was a need for repeated dosages and in 2 occasions, a third doses was needed. Only in one occasion was hospital management needed. Therefore, we conclude that the administration of rectal diazepam by parents--at home--is a useful and secure method to prevent prolonged convulsions and the epileptic status; it gives parents security and tranquility using an instrument which can be used in any circumstance therefore reducing anguish and the cost of hospital care.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Centro Neurológico para Niños y Adolescentes CENNA, Escuela de Medicina Ignacio A. Santos, Hospital San José, ITESM Monterrey, Nuevo León, México.
R
R
Calderón González
D000285:Administration, Rectal; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000517:prevention & control*
D003975:Diazepam
Manejo de emergencia de convulsiones y prevención de estado epiléptico con diazepan rectal administrado por los padres.