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Review
. 2020 Feb:103:8-11.
doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2019.09.003. Epub 2019 Sep 12.

Are Ketamine Infusions a Viable Therapeutic Option for Refractory Neonatal Seizures?

Richard J Huntsman  1 , Lannae Strueby  2 , William Bingham  2
Affiliations
Review

Are Ketamine Infusions a Viable Therapeutic Option for Refractory Neonatal Seizures?

Richard J Huntsman et al. Pediatr Neurol. 2020 Feb.

Abstract

Ketamine is an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that works by binding to the phencyclidine-binding site, thereby blocking influx of cations through the NMDA receptor channel. The use of ketamine to treat refractory status epilepticus in adults and older children is well documented. Maturational changes in neonatal NMDA and γ-aminobutyric acid receptor expression and function make NMDA receptor antagonists, like ketamine, attractive potential therapeutic agents for treatment of refractory seizures in the newborn. However, descriptions of its use in this age group are limited to two case reports. Concerns regarding potential ketamine-mediated neurotoxicity in the immature brain require further investigation.

Keywords: Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy; Ketamine; Neonate; Seizures.

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