Influence of phenobarbital on the psychomotor development and behaviour in preschool children with convulsions.

Eleven preschool children with febrile convulsions or epilepsy were started on phenobarbital. Before treatment was started and at regular intervals after the onset of medication up to one year psychological tests were applied and the behaviour of the children analyzed. The plasma levels of phenobarbital were recorded. A transient deterioration of fine motor functions and behavioural disturbances were found in most children during the first weeks and months. The problems subsided thereafter and at one year follow up the drug-induced changes had disappeared. The need for extended studies is underlined.