Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous Valproate in Pediatric Status Epilepticus and Acute Repetitive Seizures
Open Access
- 6 May 2003
- Vol. 44 (5), 724-726
- https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1528-1157.2003.41302.x
Abstract
Summary: Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous valproate (VPA) loading in children with status epilepticus (SE) or acute repetitive seizures. Methods: Retrospective review was performed on 40 pediatric patients with intravenous VPA loading. Patients were classified into two groups: SE (n = 18) and acute repetitive seizures (n = 22). Thirty‐one patients were VPA naïve and received a full loading dose of 25 mg/kg; nine had subtherapeutic plasma VPA levels and received a partial loading dose. Average infusion rate was 2.8 mg/kg/min. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured before, during, and after infusion. Results: Intravenous VPA loading stopped seizures in 18 patients with SE within 20 min. All 18 patients regained baseline mental status within 1 h of seizure cessation. Among 22 patients with acute repetitive seizures, only one had further seizures after VPA infusion. One patient in the SE group complained of transient tremors. No significant changes in blood pressure or heart rate were found in either group. Postinfusion plasma VPA levels ranged from 51 to 138 μg/ml (mean ± SD = 88 ± 21.5 μg/ml). Conclusions: Intravenous VPA loading is safe and effective for treating acute seizure emergencies in children.Keywords
This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit:
- Intravenous valproate in pediatric epilepsy patients with refractory status epilepticusNeurology, 2000
- Intravenous valproate associated with significant hypotension in the treatment of status epilepticus.Journal of Child Neurology, 1999
- Safety of high intravenous valproate loading doses in epilepsy patientsJournal of Epilepsy, 1998
- Status Epilepticus and Acute Repetitive Seizures in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults: Etiology, Outcome, and TreatmentEpilepsia, 1996
- Safety of intravenous valproateAnnals of Neurology, 1995
- Status epilepticus at an urban public hospital in the 1980sNeurology, 1993
- Rectal Administration of Sodium Valproate for Neonatal and Infantile Status EpilepticusDevelopmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 1984
- Rectal Valproate syrup and status epilepticusNeurology, 1980
- Rectal administration of sodium valproate in status epilepticusNeurology, 1978
- The Use of Sodium Valproate in a Case of Status EpilepticusDevelopmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 1976