Status epilepticus

Abstract

Status epilepticus generally is considered to be a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention to prevent permanent injury to the brain. Tonic-clonic status epilepticus is a very frightening event; the inexperienced parents invariably believe that their child is dying. Emergent management is imperative for convulsive tonic-clonic (grand mal) status epilepticus, but there are nonconvulsive types of status epilepticus in which the problem is more one of correct diagnosis than emergent management. This article reviews aspects of status epilepticus, particularly the classification and treatment of the various types of status.