Abstract
Higher scores on motor maturity items of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (BNBAS) were observed in a group of infants treated with phenobarbital (P). Twenty three infants ranging in BW from 900 to 1480g were randomly assigned to treatment (N=9) or control (N=14) groups in a trial evaluating the efficiency of P in preventing intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Study infants were treated for 7 days with anti-convulsant doses achieving P levels of 20-30ug/ml.
The BNBAS was performed a week prior to discharge at a mean post-conceptual age of 37±2wks. The two groups were comparable with respect to incidence of IVH, age at evaluation, and number of abnormal neurologic responses assessed by the BNBAS. Treated infants scored higher in motor maturity (P<0.001) while controls had greater tremulousness (P<0.001). Cuddliness was higher (P<0.05) in the treated group, who were more mature in behavioral responses than controls. Comparing 7 study and 13 control infants with Grade III IVH, we noted auditory responsiveness, pull to sit, motor maturity, and hand to mouth facility to be significantly better in the treated group (P<0.05).
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Smith, R., Ostfeld, B., Anwar, M. et al. PHENOBARBITAL IMPROVES MOTOR MATURITY IN PREMATURE INFANTS. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 114 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00127
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00127