The significance of post-traumatic status epilepticus in childhood.

Five cases of early post-traumatic status epilepticus in childhood are reported. In all cases the trauma was apparently of a minor nature and the seizures appeared within two hours after injury. In none of the cases was a significant intracranial clot detected, nor was lasting cerebral damage evident. This is in contrast with adults, where status epilepticus after head injury is thought to be an ominous sign. Rapid improvement in level of consciousness after prompt treatment is certainly the most important criterion in assessing the role of the seizures. In the same period of time, post-traumatic status epilepticus was not seen in children with more severe head injury.