Carbamazepine in phenobarbital-nonresponders: experience with ten preterm infants

Abstract

 Carbamazepine is a standard anticonvulsant in children and adults. Until now there is only little information available on its use in neonates. We investigated the oral administration of carbamazepine in refractory neonatal seizures treated with phenobarbital. Ten preterm infants (gestational age 23 + 6 – 34 + 6 weeks, birth weight 640 g–3080 g) with neonatal seizures were refractory to a primary therapy with phenobarbital. All patients subsequently received carbamazepine exclusively as a second choice anticonvulsant. A daily dose of 7–23 mg/kg carbamazepine was administered orally in two to three aliquots. All patients reached therapeutic plasma drug levels (3–12 mg/l; 13–50 μmol/l). In nine out of ten patients (complete group of small preterms with gestational age under 30 weeks and weight less than 1000 g), therapeutic success was excellent. Carbamazepine was continued for 1–5 months. After termination of therapy no further seizures occurred, also on EEG recordings. Finally, no carbamazepine-induced adverse effects were observed.

Conclusion This is the first report on the use of carbamazepine in small preterm infants. Carbamazepine may provide a useful and effective oral maintenance therapy in the management of neonatal seizures in these patients.