Phenobarbital and Infant Development

Phenobarbital is a prescription medication that is used to help control seizures. In some case, doctors will prescribe this barbiturate as a sleep aid. When an infant is given this medication directly or through the mother, the resulting effects on the infant cause the medical field to debate whether phenobarbital is safe for infants both before and after birth. Though it is successful in reducing seizures, the side effects are questionable.

Withdrawal

• If the mother used phenobarbital during pregnancy, the drug does cross over to the fetus through the placenta. After birth, the infant can experience withdrawal symptoms.

Fetal Abnormalities

• Maternal use of phenobarbital during pregnancy may also result in fetal abnormalities as the drug concentrates in the infant's brain and liver.

Unsuccessful Treatment

• Bleeding of the brain in premature babies is attributed to cerebral palsy, mental retardation and learning disabilities. Dr. Seetha Shankaran performed a study showing that phenobarbital is not effective in reducing this hemorrhaging as researchers once thought.

Anti-Seizure Success

• According to a study discussed by Dr. Jeffrey T. Kirchner, phenobarbital has a high success rate of reducing the seizures in infants compared to other medications such as phenytoin.

Decreased Motor Development

• Phenobarbital is a sleep aid, and when administered to an infant, sleepiness is a common effect experienced. When continued doses of phenobarbital are administered to the infant, the infant will demonstrate a decrease in motor skill activity and development.