News
Parents and others are invited to learn about and comment on U-M seizure study for children
Feb. 12 meeting at Ann Arbor Public Library, and other local meetings, will offer information on emergency treatment study comparing two drugs
Ann Arbor, MI – Every day around the country, children who suffer severe seizures due to epilepsy, head injuries or other issues are treated in emergency rooms with one of two different drugs: lorazepam or diazepam (also known as Ativan and Valium).
But doctors don’t know which of the drugs is more effective, because the two have never been compared directly in children. So, 10 hospitals around the country — including the University of Michigan Health System — have joined together to study this issue. The study will randomly assign children experiencing severe seizures to receive either lorazepam or diazepam, and then look for differences in how the drugs act.
When a child has severe, prolonged and life-threatening seizures (a state called “status epilepticus”), treatment should be given in the first five minutes after they arrive at the hospital. So, children will be treated before their parents or legal guardians can give an “informed consent” – that is, before they can be told all the details of the study and sign a document allowing the child to be enrolled.
According to federal law, this special situation means that before the U-M team can begin the study, they must inform the public and allow community members the chance to comment on it. Parents may also register their preference to “opt out” of the study in advance by adding their child’s name to a list.
As part of the effort, the research team has scheduled a public information session for February 12, at the Ann Arbor District Library’s downtown branch at 343 South Fifth Avenue. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and will give parents and other members of the community an opportunity to learn about the study, ask questions, and provide comments.
In addition to this meeting, parent groups, daycare providers, parent-teacher organizations and others can also request that a U-M researcher come to speak to their group about the study.
Individuals may read more about the study here or call 1-877-661-4666 to request information, make comments or ask that their children not be enrolled in the study if they are brought to the U-M emergency department in status epilepticus. Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit is also participating in the study; parents only need to call once – both hospitals will receive any messages left.