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Evidence summaries

Intranasal Midazolam for Febrile Seizures

Seizures may be controlled more quickly with intranasal midazolam than with intravenous diazepam. Level of evidence: "C"

47 children aged 6 months to 5 years with prolonged febrile seizures (at least 10 minutes) were randomised to receive either intranasal midazolam 0.2 mg/kg or intravenous diazepam 0.3 mg/kg 1. Overall, 23 of 26 seizures were controlled by midazolam and 24 of 26 with diazepam. The mean time to control of seizures was significantly sooner (6.1 min in the midazolam group, 8.0 min in the diazepam group.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by imprecise results (few patients and wide confidence intervals) and potential reporting bias.

References

  • Lahat E, Goldman M, Barr J, Bistritzer T, Berkovitch M. Comparison of intranasal midazolam with intravenous diazepam for treating febrile seizures in children: prospective randomised study. BMJ 2000 Jul 8;321(7253):83-6. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords