Rectal diazepam solution in the treatment of convulsions in the children's emergency room

Rectal diazepam solution was administered to 55 convulsing children in the Children's Emergency Room. In 71%, the convulsion ceased within 5 min, and in 7%, between 5 and 10 min. In 16%, rectal diazepam was ineffective but there was a rapid response to intravenous diazepam. Convulsions that had lasted less than 15 min before treatment responded more often (81%) than those that had lasted more than 15 min (46%). Four children had transient respiratory depression. Though intravenous diazepam is superior, rectal diazepam solution is adequate for controlling most acute convulsions in children, and has the advantage that it can be administered by paramedical workers.