Concerning the article by Maytal and colleagues and the accompanying editorial by Freeman, we have also found that the mortality and morbidity of cryptogenic status epilepticus has decreased considerably since our 1970 paper. Likewise, the incidence of acquired hemiplegia in France has become low during the same period. Contrary to Maytal et al, however, we believe that better and earlier control of convulsive status has played a role in this decrease. There is considerable evidence that convulsive seizures can produce brain damage, irrespective of the cause of attacks.
