Brain protection by phenobarbitone in very low birthweight (VLBW) prematures--a controlled trial.

Prematures with birthweights below 1500 g were enrolled in a randomized controlled study to evaluate the effect of phenobarbitone on early periventricular haemorrhage (PVH) and late handicap due to neuronal damage. PVH was diagnosed by ultrasound in 8 of 25 in the treatment group and in 14 of 27 in the control group. So far, 22 infants have been examined at the age of 9 months; 3 of 9 treated and 4 of 13 control infants were neurologically handicapped. These preliminary results suggest a beneficial effect of phenobarbitone. The study continues to establish long-term effects.