Antenatal Phenobarbital to Prevent Neonatal Intracranial Hemorrhage

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

This large randomized trial tested whether phenobarbital given to a pregnant woman about to deliver a premature infant would prevent brain injuries in their newborns. Women with 24 to 32 week fetuses who were in preterm labor and were expected to deliver within 24 hrs were randomized to phenobarbital or usual care. They were treated until they deliver or the fetus reaches 33 wks gestation. Babies were followed until discharge and evaluated at 18-22 mos corrected age for neurodevelopmental outcome.

Clinical Trial Description

The administration of phenobarbital to pregnant women before delivery has been thought to decrease the frequency of intracranial hemorrhage in preterm infants. To evaluate this potential neuroprotective therapy further, we determined the effect of antenatal administration of phenobarbital on the frequency of neonatal intracranial hemorrhage and early death. Women who were 24 to 33 weeks pregnant and who were expected to deliver their infants within 24 hours were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous phenobarbital (10 mg/kg body weight) or placebo, followed by maintenance doses until delivery or 34 wks gestation. Infants less than 34 wks at birth underwent serial cranial ultrasonography to detect the presence of intracranial hemorrhage. The sample size of 1038 pregnancies was based on an intracranial hemorrhage rate of 20 percent in the placebo and less than 12 percent in the phenobarbital group; 90 percent power; a 5 percent two-tailed type 1 error; and an 8 percent noncompliance rate. The twin with the highest grade of intracranial hemorrhage was included.

Degree of maternal sedation was evaluated after administration of study drug. Neonatal ultrasound exams were performed at 3-5 days, 10-14 days, and 38-42 wks postmenstrual age; neonatal medications were recorded during the first week of life; treatments, and outcomes were recorded through death, discharge, or 120 days, whichever occurred first. Neurodevelopmental outcome was evaluated at 18-22 months corrected age by certified examiners masked to treatment status. ;

Study Design

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

Clinical Trial Details

NCT number	NCT00009620
Study type	Interventional
Source	NICHD Neonatal Research Network
Contact
Status	Completed
Phase	Phase 3
Start date	February 1993
Completion date	February 1997

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Clinical trials are conducted in a series of steps, called phases - each phase is designed to answer a separate research question.

Phase 1: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase 2: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase 3: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase 4: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.

Antenatal Phenobarbital to Prevent Neonatal Intracranial Hemorrhage — Phenobarbital

Clinical Trial Summary

Clinical Trial Description

Study Design

Related Conditions & MeSH terms