Introduction: Convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) , the most common life-threatening neurological emergency in children  is associated with significant neurological sequelae.

Objectives: To determine  the  clinicoetiological  profile,  outcome of CSE and to identify factors affecting the outcome.

Methods: The prospective study was carried out over 18 months in children aged 1 month to 12 years. Etiological factors were categorized into 5 groups: idiopathic, acute symptomatic, remote symptomatic, febrile and progressive encephalopathy. Immediate outcome and outcome at discharge were assessed. Chi Square and Fishers` exact test were applied for statistical analysis.

Results : Of the 120 children, the most common etiology of CSE was acute symptomatic (46, 38%) followed by remote symptomatic (37, 30.3%). In infants and children  more than 6 years, the prime etiology of CSE was acute symptomatic, compared to remote symptomatic in children aged 1 to 6 years(p<0.001). Poor immediate outcome was seen in 50 children (41.7%); primarily due to progressive encephalopathy (100%) and remote symptomatic etiologies (64.9%). The association between etiologies  of  CSE and  immediate outcome was statistically significant (p<0.001). Poor functional outcome at discharge was observed most commonly in infants (82%) and with progressive encephalopathy and remote symptomatic etiologies. The mean duration of CSE in children with poor functional outcome was significantly prolonged (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: Age of the child was one of the main determinants of etiology of CSE. The etiology and duration of CSE were the significant predictors of outcome of CSE in children.