Status Epilepticus: what is it?

A single seizure lasting more than 5 minutes or two or more seizures in a 5-minute period without the person returning to normal between them is classified as status epilepticus (SE). A 30-minute time limit was applied in previous definitions. The seizures can be tonic–clonic, with a regular pattern of contraction and extension of the arms and legs, or absence seizures or complex partial seizures, which do not involve contractions. Status epilepticus is a medical emergency that can be fatal if...