title: Setting the scene: definition of prolonged seizures, acute repetitive seizures, and status epilepticus. Do we know why seizures stop?
abstract: Status epilepticus is recognised as an acute emergency requiring urgent intervention. The optimal timing of such an intervention during a prolonged seizure, and the reasons for such, have provided much discussion. For operational purposes, a definition of a prolonged seizure of ≥5 minutes requiring intervention appears justified. However, a definition of status epilepticus of ≥30 minutes should stand, with the proportion of seizures proceeding to this clinical state remaining small. The reasons for this may be inherent to an individual, but an understanding of the mechanisms underlying the predisposition may lead to improved management pathways in the future.
authors.affiliation: UCL-Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, and Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, UK.
authors.forename: J Helen
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cross
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: prolonged seizure; seizure; status epilepticus