Phenobarbitone and febrile convulsions
Article Abstract:
The effectiveness of prescribing anticonvulsants for children to prevent convulsions associated with fever has not been clearly established. One study reported that the anticonvulsant phenobarbitone decreased cognitive or intellectual performance without preventing seizures. Phenobarbitone-treated children had lower intelligence quotients, a measure of cognitive performance, but a similar frequency of seizure, compared with untreated children. Phenobarbitone decreased cognitive performance to a lesser extent in children with higher cognitive performance before treatment. Previous studies have focused on the outcome of children treated with phenobarbitone, but not the effects of this drug on children. Phenobarbitone was also shown to be more effective than another anticonvulsant agent, sodium valproate. However, a Welsh study found that poor intellectual development was related to recurrence of convulsions, rather than to treatment with either phenobarbitone or sodium valproate. These studies suggest that phenobarbitone treatment is associated with behavioral side effects, including a decrease in cognitive performance. In addition, the effectiveness of phenobarbitone in preventing seizures has not been clearly demonstrated. Thus, phenobarbitone treatment may not be justified for preventing seizures associated with fever, unless the convulsions recur frequently and the patient complies with treatment procedures. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Archives of Disease in Childhood
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-9888
Year: 1990
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New use of anticonvulsant medications among children enrolled in the Tennessee Medicaid program
Article Abstract:
A significant number of children in Tennessee's Medicaid program have received anticonvulsant medications for conditions other than epilepsy. Researchers reviewed the cases of 647 children who were given anticonvulsants while enrolled in Medicaid in 1992. Fifty-eight percent of children were diagnosed with epilepsy or convulsions, but 16% had no diagnoses for which anticonvulsants might be indicated.
Publication Name: Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1072-4710
Year: 1997
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Febrile convulsions: a 'benign' condition?
Article Abstract:
More research is needed to determine whether the increase in GABAergic inhibition seen in febrile convulsions in rats is pro-epileptogenic or compensatory. Febrile convulsions are rare in humans, and most children who have them do not develop epilepsy.
Publication Name: Nature Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1078-8956
Year: 1999
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