Abstract
The effect of phenobarbital (P) on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was studied in 6 preterm newborn baboons (gest. age 149/184 - 168/184 d: x = 160.2 d; birth weight: 0.69 - 1.06 kg, x = 0.89 kg) to evaluate possible mechanisms underlying protective effect on intracranial hemorrhage. Polyvinyl catheters were placed in the left ventricle, abdominal aorta with umbilical or femoral artery, sagittal or internal jugular vein within 1 hr. following cesarian section birth. Arterial and venous blood gases, P, glucose, lactate, hemoglobin and rCBF, measured by radio labelled microspheres (141Ce, 51Cr, 85Sr) before and at 30 and 60 min. following P, 20 mg/kg I.V. Using the baboons as their own control, results show that P produced a transient but variable decrease in total CBF at 30 min. (- 27.2 ± 28.2% of control values). Decreased rCBF 30 min. post P was noted in all 16 brain regions examined including superior and inferior colliculi (x ± SF: - 33.8 ± 25.6%), thalamus, (- 32.2 ± 25.7%), medulla (- 29.6 ± 25.1%), frontal lobe (- 28.9 ± 25.6%), occipital lobe (- 28.5 ± 28.8%), and parietotemporal lobe (- 26.3 ± 28.1%). rCBF values in all regions examined returned or exceeded baseline 60 min. post P; regions with the least fall in rCBF showed best recovery in rCBF. Data suggest that protective effect of P may minimally be mediated by direct effect on rCBF but largely via other mechanism (eg. sedative effect and stabilization of systemic blood pressure).
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Aranda, J., Maeta, H., Beharry, K. et al. 340 EFFECT OF PHENOBARBITAL ON REGIONAL CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW IN THE NEWBORN BABOON. Pediatr Res 19, 167 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00370
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00370