Evaluation of adherence to pediatric status epilepticus management guidelines in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE To assess compliance with the 2017 Saudi pediatric status epilepticus management guidelines and to printout the main obstacle for adherence to the guidelines. METHODS A cross sectional study conducted in September 2019, using electronic survey. The survey sent to all the Pediatric Emergency physicians practicing in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) through emails and WhatsApp and the questionnaire based on clinical scenario written in English language. RESULTS One hundred and three (70%) of 147 physicians working in KSA and covering pediatric emergency departments responded to the survey. Only 20% of the physicians reported full compliance to all 4 guideline components; 57% reported that they were not aware of the published guidelines. CONCLUSION Pediatric emergency physicians reported poor compliance to the 2017 published guidelines for the treatment of children with convulsive status epilepticus in KSA.