Phenobarbital for febrile seizures - effects on intelligence and on seizure recurrence

Article Abstract:

Phenobarbital is the drug of choice in the treatment of febrile seizures, or convulsions resulting from very high fevers of 104 degrees Fahrenheit. However, studies have shown that this anticonvulsant agent has unfavorable effects on behavior, developing nerves, and cognition, or the mental process by which knowledge is acquired. The relation between treatment with phenobarbital and intelligence, as indicated by intelligence quotients (IQs), was examined in 217 children between the ages of 8 and 36 months who experienced febrile seizures. After two years, the average IQ was lower in the group receiving phenobarbital than in the group not taking the drug. Six months later, after treatment with phenobarbital was stopped, IQ remained lower in children who had taken the medication. The number of children who remained free of febrile seizures was similar in both treated and untreated groups. The results indicate that phenobarbital decreases cognitive performance, and this adverse effect is not associated with further benefits in the prevention of seizures. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Testing, Cognition in children, Cognitive development

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The best medicine for febrile seizures

Article Abstract:

Witnessing a child having a febrile seizure is a very frightening experience for a parent. Febrile seizures are convulsions that are preceded by the onset of a fever. Young children have a lower threshold for seizures because the cortex of their brain is still developing. A research study found that certain children were more likely than others to have recurrent febrile seizures. Seventy-three percent of the children who had one episode of febrile seizures did not have another. Those who had a recurrent episode had their first set of seizures at a lower temperature and after a fever of shorter duration than children who did not have a recurrence. Most children experienced a recurrence during the year following the first episode. Most children who have febrile seizures may not need to be treated.

Editorial, Risk factors, Fever in children, Childhood fever, Convulsions in children, Convulsions, Pediatric neurology

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Phenobarbital compared with phenytoin for the treatment of neonatal seizures

Article Abstract:

Phenobarbital and phenytoin are equally ineffective in treating newborn babies with seizures. In a study of 59 such babies, either drug given alone only controlled seizures in half the babies. Both drugs together were not much better, controlling seizures in about 60% of the babies. The more severe the seizure, the less likely the drugs could control it.

Evaluation, Seizures (Medicine), Phenytoin

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