Curative Effects of Methylprednisolone Therapy on Children With Electrical Status Epilepticus During Sleep

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical curative effect about methylprednisolone pulse therapy on children with electrical status epilepticus during sleep (ESES). Methods From January 2008 to January 2013,a total of 56 children with ESES were recruited. According to the random number table method they were divided into experimental group (n=28) and control group (n = 28). Children with ESES in control group received routine treatment only by antiepileptic drugs, and children with ESES in experimental group received combined therapy by routine antiepileptic drugs and methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy regimen was methylprednisolone 15 mg/( kg • d), oral application for three days and stop using it for four days, continuous treatment for three weeks. After 6 months of treatment, clinical efficacy, adverse reactions and improvement of electroencephalogram(EEG) were observed between two groups. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Review Board of Investigation in Second People's Hospital of Juancheng County in Shandong Province. Informed consent was obtained from the parents of each participant. There were no significant differences between two groups among gender,age, the duration and severity of ESES,et al (P>0.05). Results Effective rate and total effective rate in experimental group were slightly higher than those in control group, but there were no significant differences (P>0.05). Response rate and total effective rate of improvement discharges of EEG in experimental group were much higher than those in control group, and there were significant differences between two groups (P 0.05). There were no treatment-related adverse reaction in control group. There were slight adverse reactions during treatment in experimental group, and after symptomatic treatment they were disappeared. Conclusions Methylprednisolone pulse therapy on children with ESES can reduce seizures of epilepsy and its discharges in EEG. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy combined with antiepileptic drugs can improve the clinical efficacy of children with ESES. Key words: Status epilepticus; Electrical status epilepticus during sleep; Methyllprednisolone; Child