Pharmacokinetics and clinical effect of phenobarbital in children with severe falciparum malaria and convulsions

摘要

AimsPhenobarbital is commonly used to treat status epilepticus in resource-poor countries. Although a dose of 20 mg kg⁻¹ is recommended, this dose, administered intramuscularly (i.m.) for prophylaxis, is associated with an increase in mortality in children with cerebral malaria. We evaluated a 15-mg kg⁻¹ intravenous (i.v.) dose of phenobarbital to determine its pharmacokinetics and clinical effects in children with severe falciparum malaria and status epilepticus.