Anticonvulsant medications in the pediatric emergency room and intensive care unit.

Publication/Presentation Date

10-1-2008

Abstract

Seizures are common in pediatric emergency care units, either as the main medical issue or in association with an additional neurological problem. Rapid treatment prolonged and repetitive seizures or status epilepticus is important. Multiple anti-convulsant medications are useful in this setting, and each has various indications and potential adverse effects that must be considered in regard to individual patients. This review discusses new data regarding anticonvulsants that are useful in these settings, including fosphenytoin, valproic acid, levetiracetam, and topiramate. A status epilepticus treatment algorithm is suggested, incorporating changes from traditional algorithms based on these new data. Treatment issues specific to complex medical patients, including patients with brain tumors, renal dysfunction, hepatic dysfunction, transplant, congenital heart disease, and anticoagulation, are also discussed.

Volume

24

Issue

10

First Page

705

Last Page

718

ISSN

1535-1815

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics

PubMedID

19240677

Department(s)

Department of Pediatrics

Document Type

Article

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