title: Pediatric super-refractory status epilepticus treated with allopregnanolone.
abstract: Super-refractory status epilepticus is a life-threatening condition. Resistance to benzodiazepine and barbiturate treatment for this disorder is thought to be due to internalization of synaptic γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors, and withdrawal of benzodiazepines and barbiturates during treatment often triggers seizure recurrence. The neurosteroid allopregnanolone acts as a positive allosteric modulator of synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. Here we describe the use of allopregnanolone in 2 pediatric patients with super-refractory status epilepticus. This treatment allowed the general anesthetic infusions to be weaned with resolution of status epilepticus. This is the first report of allopregnanolone use to treat status epilepticus in children.
authors.affiliation: Ruth D. and Ken M. Davee Pediatric Neurocritical Care Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Broomall
authors.forename: JoAnne E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Natale
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grimason
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: Craig M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Celia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanes
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rogawski
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Wainwright
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011280:Pregnanolone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011280:Pregnanolone