Use of Magnesium Sulfate Infusion for the Management of Febrile Illness-Related Epilepsy Syndrome

• Main Authors: Wei Wei Tan PharmD, Derrick W. S. Chan MCI, Jan Hau Lee MCI, Terrence Thomas MBBS, Anuradha P. Menon MBBS, Yoke Hwee Chan MBBS
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2015-01-01
• Series: Child Neurology Open
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1177/2329048X14550067

Febrile illness-related epilepsy syndrome is a catastrophic epileptic encephalopathy that is highly refractory to most antiepileptic drugs leading to high morbidity and mortality. The authors report the use of a pediatric infusion protocol of continuous intravenous magnesium sulfate for the control of seizures in 2 children with febrile illness-related epilepsy syndrome refractory to multiple antiepileptic drugs in a pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care children’s hospital. Both patients, 2 and 16 years of age, respectively, were treated with continuous magnesium sulfate infusion. Serum magnesium concentrations ranging from 2.1 to 5 mmol/L were achieved. Seizure reduction and cessation were noted in 1 patient with magnesium more than 3.0 mmol/L. No significant adverse effects were observed. Magnesium sulfate infusions can be safely used in pediatric refractory status epilepticus. Magnesium sulfate can be considered in the management of children with febrile illness-related epilepsy syndrome.