A better option for quick control of seizures in children is a drug that can be given by mouth rather than via the rectum.
Researchers found emergency room treatment with the drug midazolam successfully stopped seizures within 10 minutes in twice as many children as the currently used rectal treatment. Rectally given Valium is the treatment of choice for children with uncontrolled seizures when intravenous drugs (IV) cannot be given.
Treating severe epileptic seizures in children is a common problem in emergency rooms because the seizures lead to uncontrollable movements that make it difficult to undress or start an IV in a seizing child.
Midazolam is a benzodiazepine like Valium, which is used as a sedative and to treat people who have gone into convulsions. It is used under the supervision of doctors.
In the study, researchers compared the effectiveness of oral liquid midazolam with rectal use of Valium in children treated for severe epileptic seizures at hospital emergency rooms in the U.K.
The results, published in this week’s issue of The Lancet, showed that when given by mouth, midazolam successfully ended more seizures (56%) within 10 minutes than rectal Valium did (27%).
By reducing the duration of seizures in children, oral use of midazolam may reduce the complications of seizures and the risk of death.
Reference – The Lancet, WebMD
