Objectives:

Status epilepticus (SE) is one of the most common neurologic emergencies in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and demographic characteristics, treatment protocols, and outcomes of patients in our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Materials and Methods:

Patients aged 1 month to 18 years, who were treated in the PICU with a diagnosis of SE between January 2020 and September 2021, were retrospectively evaluated. Demographics, indications for hospitalization, etiology, and types of SE, treatment modalities, mortality, and morbidity were recorded.

Results:

Seventy two patients [29 (40.3%) female, 43 (59.7%) male] were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the patients was 11.78±12.87 months. Thirty-three (45.8%) patients were followed up with SE, 32 (44.4%) patients with refractory SE (RSE), and 7 (9.7%) patients with super RSE (SRSE). Most of the patients were in the age group of 1-5 years, and the most common etiology was remote symptomatic SE. Midazolam infusion was given to 40 (55.56%) patients, ketamine infusion to eight (11.11%) patients, thiopental infusion to seven (9.7%) patients, ketamine and propofol infusion to four (5%) patients, and valproic acid infusion to two (2.7%) patients. Seven patients (9.7%) died during the study, and the cause of death was due to their underlying diseases, independent of SE.

Conclusion:

Timely recognition of SE and timely administration of appropriate medications are important in the follow-up of critically ill children. Chronic underlying diseases of patients followed up with RSE and SRSE affect prognosis and mortality.

Keywords: Status Epilepticus, Pediatric Intensive Care, Antiepileptic Drugs