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  • Title: Review of the efficacy of rectal paraldehyde in the management of acute and prolonged tonic-clonic convulsions.
    Author: Rowland AG, Gill AM, Stewart AB, Appleton RE, Al Kharusi A, Cramp C, Yeung LK.
    Journal: Arch Dis Child; 2009 Sep; 94(9):720-3. PubMed ID: 19357123.
    Abstract:
    INTRODUCTION: The aim of this prospective audit was to assess the effectiveness and safety of rectal paraldehyde in the management of acute, including prolonged, tonic-clonic convulsions. There are very limited published data on its effectiveness and safety, and previous data have focused on its intramuscular route of administration. METHODS: Four hospitals participated in the study. Information was collected on each dose of paraldehyde used for the treatment of a tonic-clonic convulsion over 1 year. Data were not included on patients treated with rectal paraldehyde for other seizure types or non-convulsive status epilepticus. RESULTS: Data analysis was undertaken regarding 53 episodes in 30 patients. Patient's ages ranged from 5 months to 16 years (mean 6.12 years, median 5.91 years). A pre-existing diagnosis of epilepsy was recorded in 35 episodes (66%). The mean dose of paraldehyde was 0.65 ml/kg (SD 0.22, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.71) and median dose 0.79 ml/kg. Rectal paraldehyde terminated the convulsion in 33 (62.3%) of the 53 episodes. In the 35 episodes where a pre-existing diagnosis of epilepsy was recorded, paraldehyde stopped the convulsion on 26 (74.3%) occasions. There was no difference in the dose of paraldehyde between the episodes where the convulsion was or was not terminated. There was no recorded respiratory depression in any episode. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides unique evidence that rectal paraldehyde is effective and safe in treating acute prolonged tonic-clonic convulsions. This would appear to confirm that paraldehyde should remain a treatment for the management of prolonged tonic-clonic convulsions, including convulsive status epilepticus.
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