Effect of phenobarbital on seizure frequency and mortality in childhood cerebral malaria: a randomised, controlled intervention study.

Journal article

BACKGROUND: Seizures commonly complicate cerebral malaria and are associated with an increased risk of death and neurological sequelae. We undertook a randomised study to assess the efficacy of intramuscular phenobarbital in preventing seizures in childhood cerebral malaria. METHODS: Children with cerebral malaria admitted to one hospital in Kilifi, Kenya, were randomly assigned a single intramuscular dose of phenobarbital (20 mg/kg) or identical placebo. Clinical tolerance was assessed at t...

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Authors: Crawley, J; Waruiru, C; Mithwani, S; Mwangi, I; Watkins, W

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Lancet
• Volume: 355
• Issue: 9205
• Pages: 701-706
• Publication date: 2000-02-01
• DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(99)07148-2
• EISSN: 1474-547X
• ISSN: 0140-6736
• Language: English
• Keywords: Child, Preschool; Phenobarbital; Humans; Injections, Intramuscular; Kenya; Animals; Female; Malaria, Cerebral; Anticonvulsants; Male; Infusions, Intravenous; Plasmodium falciparum; Infant; Adolescent; Seizures; Child