title: Use of ketamine in a newborn with refractory status epilepticus: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Brain malformations represent a major cause of refractory seizures. Standardized protocols to treat status epilepticus of newborn are not available in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case report of use of ketamine administered to a late preterm with Pierre Robin sequence, lissencephaly, polymicrogyria, and severe epilepsy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The infusion of ketamine permitted resolution of status epilepticus, cardiorespiratory stabilization, and improved parental care for 15 days. No significant side effects were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the literature there are few studies regarding the use of ketamine for refractory status epilepticus, and only in nine of these described the use of, ketamine in children (2 months-18 years). This is the first report to document the effective use of ketamine in the newborn with status epilepticus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Pediatric Section, S. Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarocco
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Neonatology and NICU, S. Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy. Electronic address: elisa.ballardini@unife.it.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ballardini
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Neonatology and NICU, S. Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Giampaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garani
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007649:Ketamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D007649:Ketamine
keywords: cortical malformations; ketamine; newborn; refractory status epilepticus