Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Side effects of phenobarbital in toddlers; behavioral and cognitive aspects

C S Camfield, S Chaplin, A B Doyle

    The Journal of Pediatrics
    |September 1, 1979
    PubMed

    Insights

    Phenobarbital treatment for toddlers with febrile seizures showed no IQ differences but did impact memory and comprehension. Minimize phenobarbital serum levels and treatment duration to reduce adverse cognitive and behavioral effects.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Neurology
    • Clinical Pharmacology

    Background:

    • Febrile seizures are common in toddlers.
    • Phenobarbital is a frequently prescribed anticonvulsant medication.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To assess the cognitive and behavioral effects of phenobarbital in toddlers following a febrile seizure.
    • To evaluate the impact of phenobarbital therapy on IQ, memory, comprehension, and behavior.

    Main Methods:

    • A randomized, placebo-controlled study design.
    • Inclusion of toddlers who experienced a febrile seizure.
    • Assessment of cognitive function using Binet and Bayley Scales.
    • Monitoring of phenobarbital serum levels and treatment duration.

    Main Results:

    • No significant differences in IQ between phenobarbital and placebo groups after 8-12 months.
    • Detrimental effects observed in memory (influenced by serum levels) and comprehension (influenced by treatment duration).
    • Parent-reported behavioral changes included increased fussiness and sleep disturbances; hyperactivity was not observed.

    Conclusions:

    • While most toddlers tolerate a year of phenobarbital therapy without major side effects, cognitive and behavioral impacts are possible.
    • Minimizing phenobarbital serum levels and treatment duration is recommended to mitigate negative effects.
    • Close monitoring of cognitive and behavioral outcomes is crucial during phenobarbital therapy in young children.

    More Related Videos

    The Use of Trace Eyeblink Classical Conditioning to Assess Hippocampal Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders19:57

    The Use of Trace Eyeblink Classical Conditioning to Assess Hippocampal Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

    Published on: August 5, 2017

    Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling Mouse Model07:06

    Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling Mouse Model

    Published on: June 12, 2018

    Related Concept Videos

    CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines01:14

    CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

    CNS depressants include drugs from the category of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They are valuable medications for managing anxiety disorders and insomnia. Barbiturates, once used to induce and maintain sleep, have been replaced mainly by benzodiazepines due to barbiturate's toxicity, tolerance, and overdose risks. They interact with GABAA receptors, leading to sedation at low doses and potentially coma and death at higher doses. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, possesses...
    Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates01:20

    Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates

    Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a drug class that acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to alleviate anxiety, promote relaxation and induce sleep.These drugs function by amplifying the actions of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), resulting in reduced neuronal activity. Barbiturates, a subset of sedatives and hypnotics first synthesized in the late 1800s, are categorized into ultra-short, short, intermediate, and long-acting groups based on their duration of effect. A key...
    Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators01:18

    Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

    γ-aminobutyric acid or GABA, plays a pivotal role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA pathway potentiators, also known as GABAergic drugs, are a class of pharmaceutical agents designed to enhance the functioning of the GABAergic system. These medications primarily treat epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
    The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
    Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for their...
    Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

    Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

    Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
    Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

    Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

    Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
    Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

    Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

    Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...