title: Seizure recurrence and developmental disabilities after neonatal seizures: outcomes are unrelated to use of phenobarbital prophylaxis.
abstract: This study investigated treatment patterns at discharge in infants with neonatal seizures and evaluated the impact of outpatient phenobarbital prophylaxis on the frequency of seizure recurrence and the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 to 11 years. Infants with neonatal seizures during a 12-year period were identified retrospectively (n = 146), and data were obtained by medical chart review. Outcomes were ascertained by standardized telephone survey. Thirty-three infants (23%) were taking phenobarbital, and 99 infants (68%) were taking no anticonvulsants at discharge. Comparisons were made between these 2 groups. Phenobarbital prophylaxis did not improve neurologic outcomes, either with respect to seizure recurrence or neurologic development. These data have important implications at a time when many are questioning the practice of prophylaxis after neonatal seizures and when newer anticonvulsants are being recommended for treatment of acute neonatal seizures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Golisano Children's Hospital, New York 14642, USA.
authors.forename: Ronnie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guillet
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020936:Epilepsy, Benign Neonatal / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010634:Phenobarbital