Etiology and management of neonatal seizures--successful treatment by midazolam

Etiology and management of neonatal seizures was retrospectively studied in 39 patients, who were admitted in our neonatal intensive care unit. Midazolam was administered to 22 patients by intravenous bolus injection (0.15 +/- 0.08 mg/kg) and/or continuous intravenous infusion (0.33 mg +/- 0.11 mg/kg/hr), both of which were judged as effective in 71% and 76% of the patients, respectively. Seven patients showed decrease of blood pressure possibly related with administration of midazolam, but five of them were managed by decreasing dose of the drug or observation of clinical pictures. We consider that midazolam is effective and relatively safe for the management of neonatal seizures.