Intravenous paraldehyde for seizure control in newborn infants.
We studied 14 newborn infants with seizures after birth asphyxia or other causes. Paraldehyde was given as a 200 mg/kg IV bolus followed by an infusion of 16 mg/kg/h (10 cases), or as a 400 mg/kg bolus (4 cases). Serum concentrations of paraldehyde were higher in periods of adequate seizure control than in periods of little or no response. Paraldehyde serum concentrations above 10 mg/dl were associated with anticonvulsant effects and were achieved in most neonates with a 2-hour infusion of 200 mg/kg/h. If there is no effect, serum concentrations are probably below 10 mg/dl and an additional 200 mg/kg can be given safely over 1 hour.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D010242:Paraldehyde / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D010242:Paraldehyde; D010634:Phenobarbital