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The effect of phenobarbital on cerebral blood flow in newborn infants with foetal distress

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Abstract

The effect of phenobarbital on cerebral blood flow (CBF) was investigated by the intravenous Xenon133 clearance technique in seven term newborn infants with signs of mild to moderate hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, all on sustained spontaneous ventilation. Phenobarbital treatment had no significant effect on CBF 60 min after loading dosage (20mg/kg i.v.). Likewise, no significant change in mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate or transcutaneous gas tensions was observed. Though slight changes in CBF of short duration cannot be excluded, conventional dosage of phenobarbital to term newborn infants with foetal distress apparently imposes no risk of cerebrovascular damage.

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Abbreviations

CBF :

cerebral blood flow

CMRO2 :

cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen

HIE :

hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy

MABP :

mean arterial blood pressure

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Author notes

  1. K. Andersen

    Present address: , Plantagevej 70, DK-9700, Brønderslev, Denmark

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatrics, Alborg Hospital, Alborg, Denmark

    K. Andersen, K. A. Jensen & F. Ebbesen

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  1. K. Andersen
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  2. K. A. Jensen
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  3. F. Ebbesen
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Andersen, K., Jensen, K.A. & Ebbesen, F. The effect of phenobarbital on cerebral blood flow in newborn infants with foetal distress. Eur J Pediatr 153, 584–587 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02190664

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02190664

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