status epilepticus
Pronunciation: STAY-tus ep-ih-LEP-tick-us
A prolonged seizure or series of seizures lasting more than 30 minutes without recovery of consciousness between episodes.
Full Definition
Status epilepticus is a neurological emergency characterized by continuous seizure activity or repeated seizures without return to baseline consciousness, traditionally defined as lasting 30 minutes or longer. In pediatric practice, urgent treatment protocols are often initiated after 5-10 minutes of continuous seizure activity due to the increased risk of neurological damage in developing brains. Status epilepticus can be convulsive or non-convulsive and requires immediate medical intervention with antiepileptic medications. The condition carries significant morbidity and mortality risks, particularly in infants and young children, making rapid recognition and treatment critical.
Usage
Usage note: Latin term that should not be italicized in medical contexts. Often abbreviated as SE in clinical notes.
In Context
- "The infant was admitted to the PICU for management of refractory status epilepticus." — Hospital admission note
- "Non-convulsive status epilepticus was diagnosed after EEG revealed ongoing subclinical seizure activity." — Neurology consultation