Behavioural effects of phenobarbitone and phenytoin in small children. Issue 11 (November 1981)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bacon, C J; Cranage, J D; Hierons, A M; Rawlins, M D; Webb, J K
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 56:Issue 11(1981)
• Page Start: 836
• Page End: 840
• Publication Date: 1981-11
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.56.11.836
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Mothers of 56 children under 2 years old taking phenobarbitone and mothers of 55 children taking phenytoin recorded on questionnaires changes they had noted in the children's behaviour 3 and 9 weeks after starting the drug. Severe behavioural disturbance was noted by many, but the pattern and incidence was similar to that recorded by the mothers of 50 children starting a placebo, and we attribute it to the effect of a recent hospital admission. There was a small improvement in the behaviour of 20% of children who had been taking phenobarbitone for a year when they stopped it, but in this age group the disturbance caused by phenobarbitone did not appear to have been great.