Time Elapsed from Onset of Pediatric Convulsive Status Epilepticus to Antiepileptic Administration–An Experience of Single Institute

Abstract

Data regarding time elapsed from the onset of pediatric convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) to antiepileptic (AED) administration remains scarce after the adoption of standard treatment-guidelines in Indian healthcare settings. A prospective observational analysis was performed on 52 children presenting to an urban, academic tertiary care teaching hospital diagnosed with CSE and evolving to refractory CSE (RCSE). Time frames of AED administration were compared to the adopted ‘Status Epilepticus Management Protocol’. Fifty-two patients [36 (69.2%) male] were enrolled, with a median age of 4.1 y. After CSE onset, the median (p25–p75) time until the administration of the first-line, second-line, and third-line therapy phases of AED doses were 30 (25–37) min, 68 (48–79) min, and 105 (100–135) min, respectively. The second dose of non-BZD AED was administered at a median (p25–p75) of 90 (71–95) min. Twenty-six (50%) patients received at least one continuous infusion. The time elapsed from CSE onset to AED administration and escalation from one class to another was delayed.