Are New Treatments for Pediatric Refractory Status Epilepticus Effective?

While several emerging treatments have been recommended for children with refractory status epilepticus, most of the research supporting these modalities are anecdotal in nature, according to a review published in Seizure.

• Randomized controlled trials have evaluated hypothermia and found it is no more effective than placebo for refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE).
• Case series have suggested that a ketogenic diet may benefit children with RSE.
• A few case reports involving the ketogenic diet found seizures were stopped within a week in 20-90% of children.
• One double blind trial concluded that brexanolone was no more effective than placebo for weaning patients off 3^rd line anesthetic agents and freedom from RSE after 24 hours.

Arya R, Rotenberg A.  Dietary, immunological, surgical, and other emerging treatments for pediatric refractory status epilepticus.  [Published online ahead of print Sept 14, 2018]. Seizure. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2018.09.002.

While several emerging treatments have been recommended for children with refractory status epilepticus, most of the research supporting these modalities are anecdotal in nature, according to a review published in Seizure.

• Randomized controlled trials have evaluated hypothermia and found it is no more effective than placebo for refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE).
• Case series have suggested that a ketogenic diet may benefit children with RSE.
• A few case reports involving the ketogenic diet found seizures were stopped within a week in 20-90% of children.
• One double blind trial concluded that brexanolone was no more effective than placebo for weaning patients off 3^rd line anesthetic agents and freedom from RSE after 24 hours.

Arya R, Rotenberg A.  Dietary, immunological, surgical, and other emerging treatments for pediatric refractory status epilepticus.  [Published online ahead of print Sept 14, 2018]. Seizure. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2018.09.002.

While several emerging treatments have been recommended for children with refractory status epilepticus, most of the research supporting these modalities are anecdotal in nature, according to a review published in Seizure.

• Randomized controlled trials have evaluated hypothermia and found it is no more effective than placebo for refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE).
• Case series have suggested that a ketogenic diet may benefit children with RSE.
• A few case reports involving the ketogenic diet found seizures were stopped within a week in 20-90% of children.
• One double blind trial concluded that brexanolone was no more effective than placebo for weaning patients off 3^rd line anesthetic agents and freedom from RSE after 24 hours.

Arya R, Rotenberg A.  Dietary, immunological, surgical, and other emerging treatments for pediatric refractory status epilepticus.  [Published online ahead of print Sept 14, 2018]. Seizure. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2018.09.002.