Delay in benzodiazepine administration is associated with increased need for anesthetic coma therapy in children with febrile status epilepticus.

Impaired consciousness at 6 h was observed in 33 (35.4%) patients, and 16 (17.2%) required anesthetic coma therapy.

Neurological sequelae occurred in 7 (7.5%) patients, including one death (1.1%).

Although no statistically significant differences were observed in the incidence of acute encephalopathy or neurological sequelae, the anesthetic coma therapy rate increased in a time-dependent manner with delays in benzodiazepines administration.