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 the start of the trial, with particular reference to respiratory depression and hypotension. Seizures were timed and recorded, and treated in a standard way. Plasma phenobarbital concentrations were measured. Analyses were by intention to treat. FINDINGS:440 children with cerebral malaria were admitted to the hospital; 100 were not recruited to the study. Of the remaining 340, 170 received phenobarbital and 170 placebo. The drug was adequately absorbed and well tolerated. Seizure frequency was significantly lower in the phenobarbital group than in the placebo group (18 [11%] vs 46 [27%] children had three or more seizures of any duration; odds ratio 0.32 [95% CI 0.18-0.58]) but mortality was doubled (30 [18%] vs 14 [8%] deaths; 2.39 [1.28-4.64]). The frequency of respiratory arrest was higher in the phenobarbital group than in the placebo group, and mortality was greatly increased in children who received phenobarbital plus three or more doses of diazepam (odds ratio 31.7 [1.2-814]). INTERPRETATION: In children with cerebral malaria, phenobarbital 20 mg/kg provides highly effective seizure prophylaxis but is associated with an unacceptable increase in mortality. Use of this dose cannot, therefore, be recommended.
RCT Entities:
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 the start of the trial, with particular reference to respiratory depression and hypotension. Seizures were timed and recorded, and treated in a standard way. Plasma phenobarbital concentrations were measured. Analyses were by intention to treat. FINDINGS: 440 children with cerebral malaria were admitted to the hospital; 100 were not recruited to the study. Of the remaining 340, 170 received phenobarbital and 170 placebo. The drug was adequately absorbed and well tolerated. Seizure frequency was significantly lower in the phenobarbital group than in the placebo group (18 [11%] vs 46 [27%] children had three or more seizures of any duration; odds ratio 0.32 [95% CI 0.18-0.58]) but mortality was doubled (30 [18%] vs 14 [8%] deaths; 2.39 [1.28-4.64]). The frequency of respiratory arrest was higher in the phenobarbital group than in the placebo group, and mortality was greatly increased in children who received phenobarbital plus three or more doses of diazepam (odds ratio 31.7 [1.2-814]). INTERPRETATION: In children with cerebral malaria, phenobarbital 20 mg/kg provides highly effective seizure prophylaxis but is associated with an unacceptable increase in mortality. Use of this dose cannot, therefore, be recommended.
Entities:
Keywords:
Africa; Africa South Of The Sahara; Age Factors; Biology; Central Nervous System; Central Nervous System Effects; Child; Child Mortality; Demographic Factors; Developing Countries; Diseases; Drugs--therapeutic use; Eastern Africa; English Speaking Africa; Kenya; Malaria; Mortality; Parasitic Diseases; Physiology; Population; Population Characteristics; Population Dynamics; Research Report; Treatment; Youth
Authors: Michael J Boivin; Paul Bangirana; Justus Byarugaba; Robert O Opoka; Richard Idro; Anne M Jurek; Chandy C John Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2007-01-15 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Paul Bangirana; Robert O Opoka; Michael J Boivin; Richard Idro; James S Hodges; Regilda A Romero; Elsa Shapiro; Chandy C John Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2014-04-24 Impact factor: 9.079
Authors: Sombat Treeprasertsuk; Srivicha Krudsood; Thanawat Tosukhowong; Wirach Maek-A-Nantawat; Suparp Vannaphan; Tosaporn Saengnetswang; Sornchai Looareesuwan; Walter F Kuhn; Gary Brittenham; James Carroll Journal: Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health Date: 2003-03 Impact factor: 0.267