Brain protection by phenobarbitone in very low birthweight (VLBW) prematures--a controlled trial.
Prematures with birthweights below 1500 g were enrolled in a randomized controlled study to evaluate the effect of phenobarbitone on early periventricular haemorrhage (PVH) and late handicap due to neuronal damage. PVH was diagnosed by ultrasound in 8 of 25 in the treatment group and in 14 of 27 in the control group. So far, 22 infants have been examined at the age of 9 months; 3 of 9 treated and 4 of 13 control infants were neurologically handicapped. These preliminary results suggest a beneficial effect of phenobarbitone. The study continues to establish long-term effects.
D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000188:drug therapy; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010634:Phenobarbital