Decrease in the Mortality Rates for Low‐Birth‐Weight Infants After Phenobarbitone Treatment

Abstract

A daily dosage of 100 mg phenobarbitone administered orally to pregnant women for three days or more immediately before delivery has reduced the various mortality rates for low-birth-weight infants by 50% or more. Since it is hardly possible to treat all pregnant women in this way it is recommended to administer phenobarbitone to women with high-risk pregnancies such as former stillborn infant, former premature delivery, pregnancy complications, and planned induction of premature labour before the 37th week and until delivery takes place. If the mothers of low-birth-weight infants have not been adequately treated it is recommended that the newborn infant be given phenobarbitone injections immediately after birth and at 8-hour intervals, 10 injections in all.

The Effect of Phenobarbital on Serum Hormone Levels and Their Diurnal Variations in Pregnancy

“…PB therapy in pregnant women reduces the mortality rate of low-weight newborn in fants [16]. This effect has been linked to the induction of hepatic microsomal function by PB, and hence improved fetal bilirubin con jugation and elimination [20].…”

“…Phénobarbital (PB), the well-known anti convulsant used to control epileptic seizures, may favorably affect cholestasis and itching during pregnancy [4,7], PB therapy of preg nant women with imminent premature deliv ery reduces the neonatal mortality of lowweight newborn infants [16]. The drug has a strong inducing effect on the enzymatic pro cesses in the liver [2,3] and it may influence the plasma lipoprotein profile [10] and thy roid hormone levels [9].…”