Abstract

An intravenous administration of midazolam may result in seizure-like activity or movement. This report describes five neonates who developed seizure-like movements after intravenous midazolam injection. The patients presented between 2019 and 2022. The abnormal movements occurred shortly after intravenous bolus administration of midazolam. None of our patients experienced seizure-like movements after receiving midazolam infusions. The seizure-like movements were aborted either spontaneously or by antiseizure medications. Also, we did not observe any seizure recurrence in any of the infants during the later stages of their treatment. Since this adverse effect might be related to the speed of the bolus administration, intravenous midazolam must be given as a slow bolus over 2-3 minutes followed by a slow flush of normal saline. To prevent midazolam's potential adverse effect on newborns, neonatal caregivers must be aware of it. Keywords: Midazolam; Injection, intravenous, Seizures; Infant, Newborn; Hypnotics and Sedatives.

Publication details

DOI
10.18295/squmj.10.2023.063
Journal
Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 24(3), 394-398
Publisher
Sultan Qaboos University
Open access
Gold open access
License
CC BY-ND 4.0

Cite this article

APA 7

Shaker, H., Al-Amrani, F., & Al Mandhari, H. (2025). Midazolam-Induced Seizure-Like Activity in Five Neonates: A case series. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 24(3), 394-398. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.10.2023.063

MLA 9

Shaker, Heba, et al. "Midazolam-Induced Seizure-Like Activity in Five Neonates: A case series." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 24, no. 3, 2025, pp. 394-398. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.10.2023.063.

Chicago (author–date)

Shaker, Heba, Fatema Al-Amrani, and Hilal Al Mandhari. 2025. "Midazolam-Induced Seizure-Like Activity in Five Neonates: A case series." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal 24 (3): 394-398. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.10.2023.063.

Harvard

Shaker, H., Al-Amrani, F. and Al Mandhari, H. (2025) 'Midazolam-Induced Seizure-Like Activity in Five Neonates: A case series', Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 24(3), pp. 394-398. doi:10.18295/squmj.10.2023.063.

Vancouver

Shaker H, Al-Amrani F, Al Mandhari H. Midazolam-Induced Seizure-Like Activity in Five Neonates: A case series. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. 2025;24(3):394-398. doi:10.18295/squmj.10.2023.063

IEEE

H. Shaker, F. Al-Amrani, and H. Al Mandhari, "Midazolam-Induced Seizure-Like Activity in Five Neonates: A case series," Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 394-398, 2025, doi: 10.18295/squmj.10.2023.063.