title: Benzodiazepines in the acute management of seizures with autonomic manifestations: anticipate complications!
abstract: The use of rescue benzodiazepines in the management of seizures is widely accepted in emergency pediatric practice. They can, however, cause severe side effects, such as respiratory depression. We describe five patients who presented with severe respiratory depression following benzodiazepine administration for seizures with autonomic manifestations. We also discuss the relationship between the complications observed in our patients and the rescue treatment. A reduction in the dosage of benzodiazepines in the setting of epileptic patients with predominant autonomic symptoms may need to be considered.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Service, University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lacroix
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fluss
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gervaix
authors.forename: Christian M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Korff
mesh_terms: D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003975:Diazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D007040:Hypoventilation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014839:Vomiting / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines; D008140:Lorazepam; D003975:Diazepam