July 2010 Newsletter
Phenobarbital After Resolution of Neonatal Seizures
(PRO-PHEN-NO)
Seizures are common in newborn infants who sustain hypoxic-ischemic injury to the brain or intracranial hemorrhage. Although the initial evaluation and treatment of these babies is fairly standard, it is not know how long after resolution of the seizures the infants should continue to be treated with anticonvulsants. Continued phenobarbital may decrease the likelihood of recurrent seizures, thus potentially decreasing additional brain injury, or it may itself interact with the developing brain and affect long term outcomes. A new multi-center study, initiated by Ronnie Guillet, M.D., Ph.D., of URMC’s Division of Neonatology, aims to determine the answers to these questions. It will provide critical new information about a common and difficult clinical problem.