Further observations on the use of phenobarbital to prevent neonatal intracranial hemorrhage

Last year we reported our initial results with the use of phenobarbital for the prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in preterm infants. We have continued this controlled investigation and have now enrolled a total of 122 infants. In addition to our study, Morgan et al recently reported their experience using phenobarbital to prevent IVH. These two studies reached different conclusions concerning the efficacy of phenobarbital. In this letter we will present our most recent findings (Donn et al), and we will compare the components of our investigation with that of Morgan et al.