A child in light coma for 3 weeks

3 weeks ago, after a prolonged seizure, my 16-month old daughter came into a deep sedation status.  After the anti-seizure medications were reduced and eventually stopped, she is still in a deep sedation (or light coma) mode as of today (Aug 10).  She is responding to pain by withdrawing her legs or arms, and her eyes do move from side to side when they are open.  However, she has no reaction to stimulus such as light, sound, moving objects, etc.  Although the situation has lasted far longer than what they originally anticipated, the doctors at the hospital (mainly neurologists) could not figure out what caused the seizure or why she was not able to wake up, and basically just told us to wait.  While we are waiting helplessly, we have become deeply concerned, and would like to know if anything should be done now before it is too late.   Could anyone in this forum offer any suggestions please?

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

Seizures exhaust a child's brain.  Prolonged seizures would tend to deprive the brain with oxygen and therefore causes a lot of negative events, and this prolonged light coma may be a manifestation of that prolonged oxygen and nutrient deprivation.  It is also very hard to tell or predict when will the brain will eventually recover and I can understand the watch and wait approach that her doctors are implementing.

I know that this may be frustrating to not know exactly what is happening but I'm sure the doctors are doing the best they can.  It is important that while everyone's waiting, all supportive measures are instituted such as adequate airway protection, bed sore precautions, adequate nutrition and overall hygiene.

Regards.