Effect of phenobarbital on seizure frequency and mortality in childhood cerebral malaria: a randomised, controlled intervention study

Describes a randomised, placebo-controlled study to assess whether a single intramuscular dose of phenobarbital given on admission to Kenyan children with cerebral malaria could lower the frequency of seizures complicating the clinical course in hospital. Finds that, in these children, phenobarbital 20 mg/kg provides highly effective seizure prophylaxis but is associated with an unacceptable increase in mortality, so that use of this dose cannot be recommended. (Original abstract - amended)