title: Midazolam as a first-line agent for status epilepticus in children.
abstract: Midazolam is a water-soluble benzodiazepine, and has recently emerged as a safe and effective treatment option after ordinary antiepileptic therapy in the management of status epilepticus. However, midazolam as a first-line agent for status epilepticus in children has not been fully investigated. Intravenous midazolam was used for status epilepticus in 27 children (38 convulsive episodes) from January 1997 to December 1999 in our hospital. Among them, 10 patients (16 convulsive episodes) were treated with intravenous midazolam as a first-line agent. The causes of the seizures varied. Midazolam was administered as an intravenous bolus dose (0.1-0.3 mg/kg), followed by continuous intravenous infusion (1-8 microg/kg per min). In all epileptic episodes but one, the seizures stopped within 1 min without any adverse effects. These results were compatible with the previously reported ones. It is important to terminate status epilepticus which can cause brain damage. Midazolam seems to be effective and safe as a first-line therapy for status epilepticus in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Niigata City General Hospital, Japan. yos@seagreen.ocn.ne.jp
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamazaki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Oda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018757:GABA Modulators; D008874:Midazolam