Phenytoin or paraldehyde as the second drug for convulsions in children
- Report By: Will Townend - Specialist Registrar
- Search checked by Kevin Mackway-Jones - Consultant
- Institution: Manchester STEM
- Current web editor: Ian Maconochie - Paediatric A&E Consultant
- Date Submitted: 1st March 2000
- Date Completed: 17th January 2003
- Last Modified: 17th January 2003
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Status:
Green (complete)
Three Part Question
In a [child continuing to fit after two doses of benzodiazepines] is [phenytoin or paraldehyde] more effective in [controlling seizure activity]?Clinical Scenario
A fitting three year old child presents to the emergency department. The child has received an appropriate dose of rectal diazepam from the prehospital team. Following administration of a dose of intravenous lorazepam the child continues to fit. You wonder whether there is any evidence to suggest whether paraldehyde or phenytoin should be given next.Search Strategy
Medline 1966 to 11/02 using the OVID interface.({exp seizures OR seizure$.mp OR fit$.mp OR exp convulsions OR epilep$.mp OR exp epilepsy} AND {exp paraldehyde OR paraldehyde.mp} AND {phenytoin.mp OR fosphenytoin.mp OR exp phenytoin}) LIMIT to human AND English