title: Side effects of phenobarbital and carbamazepine in childhood epilepsy: randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the behavioural side effects associated with two commonly used antiepilepsy drugs-phenobarbital and carbamazepine-in children in Bangladesh.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective randomised controlled single centre trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Specialist children's hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  
  
  METHODS
  108 children aged 2-15 with generalised tonic-clonic (n=51) or partial and secondary generalised seizures (n=57).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seizure control and behavioural side effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  91 children were followed up for 12 months. Six required a change of antiepilepsy drug. Side effects were compared in 85 children. In the last quarter of the 12 month follow-up, 71 children were seizure free after one year's treatment. Thirty two in the phenobarbital group and 39 in the carbamazepine group had no seizures in 74 and 102 days after randomisation, respectively. Ten children had increased behavioural problems, which were unacceptable in four (one in the phenobarbital group and three in the carbamazepine group). Independent t tests, however, showed no difference between the two trial drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no excess in behavioural side effects with phenobarbital in children with epilepsy in a country with limited resources. Trial registration NCT00381537.
authors.affiliation: Child Development and Neurology Unit, Dhaka Shishu (Children's) Hospital, Bangladesh Institute of Child Health, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Selina H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Banu
authors.forename: Moshrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jahan
authors.forename: Umme Kulsum
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Koli
authors.forename: Saadia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferdousi
authors.forename: Naila Z
authors.initials: NZ
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Neville
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine; D010634:Phenobarbital