J Korean Epilepsy Soc.  2009 Dec;13(2):75-78.

Status Epilepticus Induced by Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Preterm Infants

• Jeong MH
• Lee EH
• Yum MS
• Ko TS

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an extremely common cause of childhood respiratory infection resulting in significant morbidity and mortality especially in young infants and premature babies. There have been a few reports about seizures or encephalopathy in children with RSV infection. We describe here refractory status epilepticus in two preterm babies with severe respiratory illness by RSV infection. The seizures were refractory to phenobarbital and diphenylhydantoin, but ceased by continuous midazolam infusion. After several days with clinical improvement of respiratory illness, their seizures were stable on phenobarbital maintenance only. Although rare, status epilepticus can be a form of neurologic manifestation of severe RSV infection in preterm baby. We must be aware of their neurological manifestations; continuous EEG monitoring is helpful for the diagnosis of the status epilepticus in infants.

Keyword

Respiratory syncytial viruses; Infant; Premature; Seizures; Status epilepticus

MeSH Terms

Child
Electroencephalography
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Midazolam
Neurologic Manifestations
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin
Respiratory Syncytial Viruses
Seizures
Status Epilepticus
Midazolam
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin