RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Efficacy of 48 hours dose of phenytoin in prevention of early post-traumatic seizure
JF BMJ Neurology Open
JO BMJ Neurol Open
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e000377
DO 10.1136/bmjno-2022-000377
VO 5
IS 1
A1 Toyin Ayofe Oyemolade
A1 Augustine A Adeolu
A1 Oluwakemi A Badejo
A1 James A Balogun
A1 Matthew T Shokunbi
A1 Adefolarin O Malomo
A1 Amos O Adeleye
YR 2023
UL http://neurologyopen.bmj.com/content/5/1/e000377.abstract
AB Background Antiseizure medications, such as phenytoin sodium, have been shown in some reports to reduce the incidence of early post-traumatic seizure. These medications, however, are not without side effects which may be dose related or duration related. The risks associated with short-term therapy are minimal and often dose related (and hence avoidable). This study intends to determine the efficacy of a short-course (48-hour dose) of phenytoin in prevention of early post-traumatic seizureMethods This was a prospective randomised double-blind clinical intervention study. Head injured patients presenting within the first 24 hours were randomly assigned to either 48-hour dose of phenytoin or control groups, and were observed for clinical seizure over a week. The difference in the incidences of early post-traumatic seizure between the two groups was determined by χ2 test. A p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results A total of 94 patients were included in the study, 47 each in the control group and the phenytoin group. There were 77 males and 17 female (M:F 4.5:1). Both groups had similar demographic and clinical profile. The incidence of seizure was 21.3% in the control but 2.1% in the treatment arm (p<0.01). All seizures occurred within 24 hours of trauma in the control, while the only episode of seizure in the treatment group occurred later.Conclusion A short-course (48-hour dose) of phenytoin might be an effective prophylactic treatment to reduce the incidence of early post-traumatic seizure.Data are available on reasonable request.