Pediatric new-onset super refractory status epilepticus: Potential of timely immunotherapy in a resource-limited PICU.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical profile, management, and outcomes of children with new-onset super-refractory status epilepticus (NOSRSE), and to identify predictors of survival.

METHOD: This was a retrospective observational study conducted in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at PGIMER, Chandigarh, India, from January 2019 to August 2024. Thirty-six children diagnosed with NORSE who progressed to super-refractory status epilepticus were included. Clinical characteristics, neurodiagnostic findings, treatment details, and outcomes were analyzed. Univariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of survival.

RESULTS

Median age was 8 years; 63.9 % were male. No etiology was identified in 28 (77.7 %) children, autoimmune encephalitis in 5 (13.9 %) and viral encephalitis in 3 (8.3 %) children. MRI abnormalities were seen in 72.7 %, and non-convulsive seizures on EEG in 55.6 %. Seizure control was achieved in 80.6 %, and 72.2 % survived to hospital discharge. Median PCPC score improved from 5 at discharge to 3 at 6-month follow-up. Early immunotherapy (OR 0.83; 95 % CI (0.69, 0.99); p 0.04) was associated with better survival.

CONCLUSION

Despite the severity of illness, favorable outcomes were achievable. Early immunotherapy was associated with improved survival. These findings underscore the need for time-sensitive, protocolized care in pediatric NOSRSE, especially in resource-limited settings.