biostudies-literatureMiller SLCerebral Palsy Alliance Research FoundationNational Health and Medical Research Council1066-1079https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9828769biostudies-literatureUnknown92(6)<h4>Objective</h4>Seizures are more common in the neonatal period than at any other stage of life. Phenobarbital is the first-line treatment for neonatal seizures and is at best effective in approximately 50% of babies, but may contribute to neuronal injury. Here, we assessed the efficacy of phenobarbital versus the synthetic neurosteroid, ganaxolone, to moderate seizure activity and neuropathology in neonatal lambs exposed to perinatal asphyxia.<h4>Methods</h4>Asphyxia was induced via umbilical cord occlusion in term lambs at birth. Lambs were treated with ganaxolone (5mg/kg/bolus then 5mg/kg/day for 2 days) or phenobarbital (20mg/kg/bolus then 5mg/kg/day for 2 days) at 6 hours. Abnormal brain activity was classified as stereotypic evolving (SE) seizures, epileptiform discharges (EDs), anAnnals of neurologyGanaxolone versus Phenobarbital for Neonatal Seizure Management.PMC9828769PG15417APP1144414Allison BJNitsos IMalhotra ABennet LBoyd BJMiller SLJenkin GWong FWalker DWYawno TCastillo-Melendez MPham YMihelakis JFahey MCHunt RWHirst JJSutherland AEMcDonald CfalseGanaxolone versus Phenobarbital for Neonatal Seizure Management.<h4>Objective</h4>Seizures are more common in the neonatal period than at any other stage of life. Phenobarbital is the first-line treatment for neonatal seizures and is at best effective in approximately 50% of babies, but may contribute to neuronal injury. Here, we assessed the efficacy of phenobarbital versus the synthetic neurosteroid, ganaxolone, to moderate seizure activity and neuropathology in neonatal lambs exposed to perinatal asphyxia.<h4>Methods</h4>Asphyxia was induced via umbilical cord occlusion in term lambs at birth. Lambs were treated with ganaxolone (5mg/kg/bolus then 5mg/kg/day for 2 days) or phenobarbital (20mg/kg/bolus then 5mg/kg/day for 2 days) at 6 hours. Abnormal brain activity was classified as stereotypic evolving (SE) seizures, epileptiform discharges (EDs), an2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Dec2026-03-17T15:46:10.129Z2025-04-19T23:08:17.338ZS-EPMC98287693605416010.1002/ana.26493