Neonatal seizures

Seizures in the first 28 days of life. Causes: hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, metabolic disturbances, infections. First-line therapy is phenobarbital.

ICD-10 P901 drug

Also known as: Seizures in neonates

Drugs used for this condition

APhenobarbitalFirst line · Antiepileptics. BarbituratesPhenobarbital remains the first-line drug for neonatal seizures per international and Russian guidelines. Loading dose 20 mg/kg IV; if seizures persist, additional 10 mg/kg. Maintenance dose 3–5 mg/kg/day. Seizure control 40–60%; if ineffective, add phenytoin or levetiracetam. WHO includes phenobarbital in the Essential Medicines List for neonatal seizure treatment.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit