Abstract
The conventional loading dose of phenobarbital for newborn infants with hypoxic-ischemic seizures, 20 mg/kg, often fails to control convulsive activity. To determine the safety of a higher loading dose and to establish the pharmacokinetic parameters of a higher loading dose, ten severely asphyxiated term newborns were given 30 mg/kg of phenobarbital intravenously over 15 minutes. The mean serum concentration of phenobarbital two hours after loading was 30.0 ± 3.2 μg/mL, the apparent volume of distribution was 0.97 ± 0.18 L/kg, total clearance was 0.08 ± 0.03 mL/min/kg, and mean serum half-life was 148 ± 55 hours. The higher loading dose was not associated with any short-term adverse effects on cardiorespiratory function, even in spontaneously breathing infants.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1061-1064 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Pediatrics |
Volume | 75 |
Issue number | 6 |
State | Published - Jan 1 1985 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health