Association of Time to Treatment With Short-term Outcomes for Pediatric Patients With Refractory Convulsive Status Epilepticus

Question: Several studies have shown an association of prompt treatment with status epilepticus duration, but what is the association with other outcome measures, such as death?

Findings: In this multicenter observational study of 218 children with refractory convulsive status epilepticus, a delay in first-line benzodiazepine treatment was associated with death, the need for continuous infusions, longer convulsive duration, and more frequent hypotension.

Meaning: These findings may change the perception of acute seizure and status epilepticus treatment, tentatively converting it into an extremely time-sensitive emergency that is similar to stroke or other cardiovascular events.