The emergency physician caring for children should have a thorough understanding of all aspects of SE. The morbidity and mortality attributable to this condition can be minimized through rapid recognition of the disorder, a rational therapeutic and diagnostic plan, and recognition and management of typical complications. Promising developments include new drugs, such as the phenytoin prodrug and the use of newer dosing methods and routes of administration for current drugs, such as very high-dose phenobarbital, thiopental barbiturate coma, and continuously infused midazolam.