Early Midazolam Infusion Improves Care for Kids with Seizures
Researchers studied how to improve the treatment of status epilepticus, a serious condition where a person has prolonged seizures, in children.
Status Epilepticus
This hub covers status epilepticus, a seizure emergency, which is when a seizure doesn’t stop or seizures happen back-to-back without recovery. The 5-minute rule, rescue meds, and what care looks like.
What you’ll find in this topic:
- Plain-language summaries of new epilepsy studies
- What the research means for real life
- Practical questions to ask your neurologist
- Related topics you can explore next
Status Epilepticus: What Families Usually Want to Know
- What it is (and why it’s an emergency)
- The “5 minute rule” for convulsive seizures
- Rescue meds: what they are and when to use them
- What happens in the ER/hospital
Common Status Epilepticus Terms in Plain English
- Status epilepticus: A seizure that won’t stop or repeated seizures without recovery
- Convulsive status: Ongoing shaking seizure activity
- Nonconvulsive status: Ongoing seizure activity without obvious shaking (often needs EEG)
- Rescue medication: Fast-acting meds (nasal/buccal/rectal) used at home or school
- Cluster: Multiple seizures close together (may trigger rescue plan)
Safety & First Aid FAQ
Is every long seizure status epilepticus?
A convulsive seizure approaching 5 minutes is treated seriously because the chance it won’t stop rises.
What should I do first at home?
If a convulsive seizure lasts ~5 minutes, breathing is abnormal, injury occurs, it’s a first seizure, or recovery is not typical.
Can someone be in status without shaking?
Yes. Confusion, staring, or unusual behavior that doesn’t resolve can be nonconvulsive status, especially in hospital settings.
Will my child/adult always need an ambulance?
Not always. Some families have plans that include rescue meds and monitoring. But prolonged convulsive seizures generally need urgent care.
-
-
Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | Imaging & EEG | New Studies | Pediatrics | Status Epilepticus
Genetic Insights into Pyridoxine-Dependent Epilepsy in Children
Researchers studied six Chinese children diagnosed with pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE) to understand the clinical features and genetic changes related to this condition.
-
Epilepsy Research Summaries | Ketogenic Diet | Lifestyle & Sleep | New Studies | Pediatrics | Status Epilepticus
Navigating Dravet Syndrome: A Parent and Doctor’s Journey
This study looked at the experiences of a child named Ethan who has Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy that starts in infancy.
-
Cell Therapy Reduces Seizures in Animal Epilepsy Models
This study looked at how effective cell therapy is in reducing seizures in animals that have chronic epilepsy.
-
Devices & Neuromodulation | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | New Studies | Pediatrics | Status Epilepticus
Predicting Epilepsy Risk in Children with Febrile Seizures
Researchers studied 231 children who experienced febrile seizures, which are seizures triggered by fever, to see if they could predict who might develop epilepsy or a specific type of epilepsy called genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+).
-
Nanoparticle Treatments Show Promise for Status Epilepticus Care
Researchers studied new ways to treat status epilepticus (SE), a serious condition where seizures last too long and can cause severe harm.
-
Comorbidities | Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | New Studies | Pediatrics | Status Epilepticus
Improving Quality of Life After Refractory Status Epilepticus
This study looked at the long-term quality of life for people who survived a severe type of epilepsy called new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE), including a specific form known as febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES).
-
Low Adherence to Epileptic Seizure Treatment Guidelines Found
Researchers studied how well hospitals follow treatment guidelines for status epilepticus (SE), a serious condition where seizures last too long.
-
Comorbidities | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | New Studies | Pediatrics | Status Epilepticus
Levetiracetam as First Choice Treatment for Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus
Researchers investigated the use of intravenous (i/v) levetiracetam (LEV) as a first-line treatment for patients experiencing non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), a serious condition where seizures occur without noticeable convulsions.
