Intravenous therapy and EEG monitoring in prolonged seizures.

Attempts were made to control prolonged seizures with rapid intravenous administration of either diazepam or methohexitone in relatively small doses under electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring. The clinical and EEG features are discussed in relation to 65 episodes which occurred in 51 infants and children. Both clinical and EEG effects may become apparent in half a minute when the drug is administered with this technique and no undesirable side-effects were observed. The return of consciousness was not impaired by the small amounts of these drugs and the cumulative effects were negligible, allowing repeated injections if necessary. This technique avoids the disadvantages of larger doses of drugs given by slow intravenous infusion.