Anesthesia-related status epilepticus after fiber optic colonoscopy in a child

Abstract A healthy, 8-year-old girl with a history of hematochezia underwent an uneventful fiber optic colonoscopy with propofol anesthesia. During the postoperative recovery period, she experienced acute-onset muscle rigidity, loss of consciousness, apnea, hypoxia, and hyperthermia. She was administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation and was treated with naloxone, mannitol, and midazolam. She regained consciousness after 14 hours. She underwent cerebral function rehabilitation and was discharged in 1 month without obvious neurologic sequelae. This case illustrates that propofol may affect the developing brain differently from the adult brain. Propofol-induced seizures can lead to life-threatening status epilepticus in children. Immediate diagnosis and effective treatment are essential.