A forgotten alternative: Bromides for refractory status epilepticus

Abstract

We present the cases of a 1-month-old infant diagnosed as having malignant migrating partial epilepsy of infancy and a 2-month-old infant with Ohtahara syndrome, who both presented with severe refractory status epilepticus and were treated with potassium bromide when all other antiepileptic drugs failed. Appropriate augmentation of the dosage of potassium bromide led to reduction in the frequency and duration of seizures in both patients. There was a notable reduction in the occurrence of epileptic seizures in both cases, with no apparent side effects. Potassium bromide was of significant benefit for seizure reduction in two infants with intractable seizures. It could be used safely and within a short period. Potassium bromide should be considered as a relatively safe therapeutic option for infants and children with severe intractable seizures when other antiepileptic drugs fail to control the seizures.