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Biomedical subjects

P Gal

Publications and source records attributed to P Gal.

97 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Neonatal seizure recurrence following discontinuation of phenobarbital.

The recurrence of seizures in neonates following discontinuation of phenobarbital was studied. All neonates treated for seizures in the intensive care nursery over a period of four years were followed for seizure recurrence after discharge from the hospital. Of 64 neonates treated for seizures, 50 were followed until they were at least 12 months of age. Their charts were reviewed for birth date, birth weight, gestational age, Apgar scores, age at seizure onset, seizure type, seizure etiology, duration of anticonvulsant therapy, and any neurologic deficits. Information on seizure activity and neurologic and developmental status was obtained through clinic observation or telephone interviews with parents and pediatricians. Anticonvulsant therapy was continued for 4 to 97 days; however, 85% of patients were treated less than three weeks. Those treated longer than three weeks either could not be withdrawn from anticonvulsants or were premature infants who had prolonged, severe illness. The length of follow-up ranged from 12 to 47 months, the average follow-up age being 24 months. Six patients were found to require long-term anticonvulsants because of persistent or recurring seizures. The severity of neurologic damage was a good predictor of seizure recurrence. The duration of anticonvulsant therapy in neonates should be limited to the period when the neonate is acutely ill.

Drug Administration Schedule↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Individualizing phenobarbital dosing in neonates.

A method was developed for estimating elimination rate constants for phenobarbital in neonates on the basis of two serum samples drawn at any interval. Phenobarbital serum concentrations were obtained for 16 neonates being treated for fetal asphyxia, intraventricular hemorrhage, narcotic withdrawal, or seizure activity. The mean birth weight was 2.18 kg, mean gestational age was 34.8 weeks, and mean postnatal age was 12.1 days. The first blood sample was drawn two hours after an i.v. loading dose of phenobarbital sodium 7-15 mg/kg; maintenance doses ranging from 1.3 to 7.5 mg/kg/day were given by single i.v. injection. On the third day of therapy, trough concentration was determined; elimination rate constants were calculated using the two concentrations and the total dosage administered. Maintenance doses were adjusted to achieve desired serum concentrations, and predicted concentrations were compared with actual concentrations on the seventh day of therapy. Measured and predicted serum concentrations on day 7 were not significantly different. Only one patient exhibited phenobarbital toxicity. Phenobarbital serum half-life did not show a correlation with either gestational age or postnatal age. This method is clinically useful for individualizing phenobarbital dosing in neonates because it allows for integration of therapeutic drug monitoring with maintenance dosing based on the patient's metabolic capacity for the drug.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pharmacotherapy specialty certification examination. IV. 1992 results and process modifications, including recertification. The 1992 Specialty Council on Pharmacotherapy, Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties.

Certification of pharmacotherapy specialists is proceeding smoothly. Modifications to the examination process, which include reapportioning domains, offering the examination at several sites, and establishing the recertification process, have occurred. The guidelines for petitioners and structure of specialization continue to receive the attention and interest of prospective candidates, pharmacy organizations, and the BPS. To date, 674 specialists have been certified in the approved specialties: 175 nuclear pharmacists, 236 nutrition pharmacists, and 263 pharmacotherapy specialists.

Certification↗