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Phenobarbitone for the Management of Neonatal Seizures - A Single Center Study

Introduction: Phenobarbitone is currently the drug of choice for neonatal seizures. In this study we analyzed the effect of Phenobarbitone in the management of neonatal seizures. Objectives: To review the cumulative dosage, efficacy of phenobarbitone and need for second and third anti-seizure medication in the treatment of neonatal seizures. Methods: This is a cross sectional retrospective observational study from January-2011 to December-2014. Based on clinical observation, anticonvulsant efficacy was assessed. Need for second Ant seizure drug and Cumulative loading dose were studied. All babies admitted with clinical seizures and those developing seizures during hospitalization who were treated with Phenobarbitone as the first drug were studied. Interventions: Management of neonatal seizures as per standard unit protocol. Study was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee. Statistical Analysis: All the data were collected in validated preformatted proforma sheet and analysed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: 117 babies received phenobarbitone during the study period. Majority (49.57%) of seizures occurred during day 1 of life. HIE was the commonest cause noted in 42.73%. Seizure control with 20 mg/kg loading dose of phenobarbitone was noted in 40.17% of pateints & Seizure control with 30 mg/kg loading dose of phenobarbitone was in 19.65%. Seizure control with phenobarbitone as monotherapy was 59.82% and as combinant therapy with Levetiracetam was 32.47%. Conclusion: Phenobarbitone had significant seizure control both as monotherapy and along with levetiracetam as combinant therapy.


Introduction
A seizure is a paroxysmal, time-limited change in motor activity that results from abnormal electrical activity in the brain [1]. Occurrence of seizure is a symptom of an underlying neurological disease which may be a consequence of any systemic or biochemical disturbance [2]. Seizures are more common in the neonatal period than in any other stage and affects approximately 1% of all neonates [3]. In practice phenobarbital remains the drug of first choice for confirmed or suspected seizures [4 -10]. Phenobarbitone's role in the management of epilepsy began a century ago in 1912. The drug had been synthesized a decade earlier and used as a sedative. In 1912, Alfred Hauptmann serendipitously discovered that it controlled seizures in epilepsy patients in whom it was used for sedation. Because of its low cost and ease of use as a broad spectrum antiepileptic drug, it is often used in low-cost situations [11]. Bialer noted that Phenobarbitone was the only synthetic drug to have registered more than a century of continuous and ongoing clinical use [12]. The efficacy and safety of standard anticonvulsants have not been evaluated extensively in the neonate. In this study we analyzed the therapeutic efficacy of Phenobarbitone in neonatal seizures. There are logistic advantages of use of phenobarbitone over phenytoin (i) it enters CSF (presumably brain) rapidly and with high efficacy, (ii) the serum level is predictable after the dose [13].

Objectives
We have conducted this study to review the cumulative dosage, efficacy of phenobarbitone and need for second and third anti-seizure medication in the treatment of neonatal seizures.

Methodology
This is a cross sectional retrospective observational study from January-2011 to December-2014. Seizure patterns were classified as per clinical observation. Based on clinical observation, anticonvulsant efficacy was assessed. Need for second Antiseizure drug and Cumulative loading dose of the antiseizure drugs were studied. All Babies admitted with clinical seizures and those developing seizures during hospitalisation who were treated with Phenobarbitone as first drug were studied. The study was approved by the hospital Research and Ethics Committee. Detailed history especially gestational age, age of onset of seizures was taken. Natal and post-natal history was also taken in detail. The initial relevant investigations included blood complete picture with peripheral film, C-reactive protein levels, blood glucose levels, arterial blood gases, renal function tests, liver function tests, serum calcium, serum magnesium, ultrasound scan brain and cerebrospinal fluid examination for evidence of infection when necessary. Blood culture was done in selected cases to rule out infection. EEG and CT scan were performed according to the presentation to confirm the underlying cause of seizures. MRI brain, plasma ammonia, plasma lactate and urine for metabolic screening were carried out in selected cases to reach the specific diagnosis. Hypoglycaemia was defined as blood glucose less than 40 mg/dl in premature and less than 45mg/dl in term babies while hypocalcaemia as serum calcium less than 7.5 mg/dl. CSF examination was considered abnormal when there were elevated CSF leukocytes, low CSF sugar, elevated CSF protein and/or positive smear for gram staining. Supportive measures such as intravenous fluids, metabolic abnormalities correction and oxygen therapy were usually given according to the underlying primary diagnosis.

Unit Protocol for Administration of Anticonvulsants
Load with injection Phenobarbitone at 20 mg/kg slow IV-infusion over 30min under cardio respiratory monitoring. If seizures persist, second loading of 10mg/kg slow IV infusion over 20min at <1mg/kg/min was given. If seizure persists, additional dose of Levetiracetam at 20 mg/kg slow IV-infusion over 30min at <1mg/kg/min was given. Cardiac rate and rhythm to be monitored. In case of persistent seizures, second loading of 10mg/kg slow IV-infusion over 20min at <1mg/kg/min was given. In case the baby didn't respond to both anti-seizure medications, they were loaded with phenytoin 20mg/kg. If not responding to above management, Midazolam infusion was started.

Statistical Analysis
All the data were collected in validated preformatted proforma sheet and analysed using Windostat version 9.2 Software. Categorical variables were analyzed using Chi-square analysis with Yates correction. Student't' test was used to compare the means. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results
117 babies with neonatal seizures received phenobarbitone as the first drug during the study period.

Figure-2 Seizure Recurrence
Seizure recurrence within 12 hour after 20 mg/kg loading dose of phenobarbitone was present in 38.46%, recurrence between 12-24 hour was noted in 9.4% of babies. Seizure recurrence within 12 hour was noted in 7.68 % and between 12-24 hours in 2.56 % respectively after levitiracetam.

Figure-3 Need of Second Drug
Need of second antiepileptic drugs within 24 hours were noted in 33 neonates & beyond 24 hours in additional 15 neonates.

International Journal of Medical Research and Review
Available online at: www.ijmrr.in 67 | P a g e Majority of babies (66.66%) were discharged with phenobarbitone alone, whereas 22.22% were discharged with phenobaribitone and levetiracetam.     [14]. Seizures on day 2-3 was observed in 22.22% in our study as compared to 40.4% by Taksande et al [16]. We noted 14.52% seizures between day 4 -7 in comparison to 25.49% by Sanjeev kumar et al [14].
Etiological Distribution of Neonatal Seizures: HIE was the predominant cause of neonatal seizures in various studies. In a population-based study by Ronen et al., 2 42% of neonatal seizures were seen following HIE [18]. Sanjeev kumar et al [14], Takshande et al [16], Yildiz et al [19], Cowen et al [20] [28 -32]. We noted that the Seizure control with phenobarbitone as monotherapy was 59.82% and 32.47% as a combinant therapy with Levetiracetam. Seizure control with either phenobarbitone as monotherapy or as combination therapy with levetiracetam was 92.30%. Seizure control with third anti seizure drug-phenytoin was in additional 7.69% cases. Michael Painter et al, noted that Seizures were controlled in 13 of the 30 neonates assigned to receive phenobarbital (43 %) and 13 of the 29 neonates assigned to receive phenytoin (45 %).When combined treatment is considered, seizure control was achieved in 17(57 %) of the neonates assigned to receive phenobarbital first and 18 (62 %) of those assigned to receive phenytoin first. With either drug given alone, the seizures were controlled in fewer than half of the neonate [33]. Gilman et al reported 75% control of clinical seizure with phenobarbitone and 85% when combined with phenytoin [11]. Mahjoob N et al noted that 42.1% responded to Phenobarbitone [15].
Painter M J et al observed that Phenobarbitone achieves clinical control in only 30 to 40% of cases [34]. Some claim better clinical control with doses of up to 40 mg/kg and serum levels above 180 μmol/L [11]. A loading dose of 15-20 mg/kg iv usually results in therapeutic plasma levels [21,22,25,28] and is followed by a maintenance dose of 5 mg/kg/d in two divided doses [33][34][35][36]. It is preferable to use monotherapy (single drug) for control of seizures. In another study on efficacy, Gal and colleagues studied Phenobarbitone monotherapy and reported ultimate seizure control in 85% [ 37]. In a similar study by Tegkul et al seizure control was achieved in 78% with cumulative loading

International Journal of Medical Research and Review
Available online at: www.ijmrr.in 70 | P a g e dose of Phenobarbital up to 40-50 mg/kg with the rest (22%) requiring either Phenytoin or lorazepam [24 ].

Monotherapy Vs Combination Therapy:
To assess the efficacy of monotherapy and subsequent combinant anticonvulsant therapy in the treatment of neonatal seizures four studies were examined including three randomised control trials and one retrospective cohort study. Each study used phenobarbitone for monotherapy with doses reaching a maximum of 40 mg/kg. Combinant therapy included midazolam, clonazepam, lorazepam, phenytoin and lignocaine. Monotherapy demonstrated a 29%-50% success rate for complete seizure control whereas combining therapy administered after the failure of monotherapy demonstrated a success rate of 43%-100%. Though the evidence was inconclusive, it would appear that combinant therapy is of greater benefit to infants unresponsive to monotherapy [38]. We noted that the Seizure control with phenobarbitone as monotherapy was 59.82% and Seizure control with either phenobarbitone as monotherapy or as combination therapy was 92.30%.

Conclusion
Phenobarbitone was noted to have benefit in seizure control as noted by significant decrease in seizure recurrence and seizure control both as monotherapy and along with levetiracetam as combinant therapy. Long term outcome studies with appropriately matched controls are needed. Funding: Nil Permission from IRB: Yes Conflicts of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest