[Emergency management of convulsions and prevention of status epilepticus with rectal diazepam administered by parents].

The parents of 17 children with a history of convulsions, were shown how to administer liquid diazepam through the rectum using a 1 mL insulin syringe, in order to alleviate a convulsion at home or any where ever this may occur. Eight of the children had suffered from repetitive and/or prolonged non-temperature related convulsions, four had epileptic status and five had suffered from simple fever related convulsions, complicated in four and in a convulsive status in 1; the number of fever-related convulsions ranged between 1 and 6 per child and those non temperature related ranged from one daily to once a month. The observation of the children was done in an 88 month period (between 1 and nine months per child, averaging 5.2 months). In seven of the children, it was required of the parents to administer rectal diazepam a total of 90 times (fluctuating between 2 and 25 doses per child), with no complications, a dose of 0.5 mg/kg was administered in those patients whose convulsions lasted over 5 minutes or more. In 75 occasions, the convulsion stopped within a period of 2 to 5 minutes, in 12 other times there was a need for repeated dosages and in 2 occasions, a third doses was needed. Only in one occasion was hospital management needed. Therefore, we conclude that the administration of rectal diazepam by parents--at home--is a useful and secure method to prevent prolonged convulsions and the epileptic status; it gives parents security and tranquility using an instrument which can be used in any circumstance therefore reducing anguish and the cost of hospital care.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)