Antenatal phenobarbital to prevent or minimize intraventricular hemorrhage in the low-birthweight neonate.
OBJECTIVE
To review the evidence that antenatal phenobarbital can reduce the incidence or severity of periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH) in low-birthweight neonates.


METHODS
MEDLINE searches were conducted with fan searches of all papers.


METHODS
Emphasis was placed on human data supplemented by relevant animal data.


RESULTS
The barbiturates have been used to reduce hypoxic-ischemic cerebral events. Giving phenobarbital to high-risk pregnant women allows the drug to be in therapeutic concentrations during the critical period when PIVH occurs in low-birthweight infants. Current data suggest that antenatal phenobarbital can decrease the severity of PIVH; fewer data are available stating that it can decrease the incidence of PIVH.


CONCLUSIONS
Evidence supports the hypothesis that antenatal phenobarbital is effective in decreasing the severity of PIVH in low-birthweight neonates. Further data are necessary regarding the incidence of low Apgar scores and respiratory depression in neonates given antenatal phenobarbital.
Barnes
E R
ER
College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City.
Thompson
D F
DF
D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011295:Prenatal Care
D010634:Phenobarbital