Publication:

Phenobarbitone versus levetiracetam in neonatal seizures

Background There is increasing evidence that neonatal seizures have an adverse effect on neurodevelopmental progression and it may predispose to cognitive, behavioral or epileptic complications later in life. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of phenobarbitone and levetiracetam for the treatment of neonatal seizures in term and late preterm neonates. The study was aimed to know the efficacy of phenobarbitone (PB) in comparison with levetiracetam (LEV) in controlling neonatal seizures.

Methods This was a randomized controlled trial where data of the babies with seizures weighing more than 2 kg who were admitted in NICU of Muzaffarnagar Medical College was collected and analysed for intervention to either phenobarbitone or levetiracetam.

Results Clinically apparent seizures were controlled in only 65.38% neonates assigned to receive levetiracetam as compared to 76.92% neonates assigned to receive phenobarbitone.

Conclusions LEV although lesser effective than PB with very fewer side effects is found to be a good alternative in controlling neonatal seizures.