Table 1 Full description of the sources: RCTs

Painter et al. [23]

N = 59; term and preterm

N = 49 HIE

N = 6 CNS infections

N = 3 cryptogenic

N = 30 PHB

N = 29 PHE

Dose: N/A

N = 15 PHE as 2nd line AED

N = 13 PHB as 2nd line AED

PHB’s efficacy: 43%.

PHE’s efficacy: 45%.

When combined, efficacy raised to 57–62%.

Boylan et al. [24]

N = 22; term and preterm.

N = 13 HIE

N = 3 IVH

N = 1 BFNE

N = 2 IUGR

N = 1 premature

N = 1 myopathy

N = 1 AVM

N = 22 PHB

(20–40 mg/kg)

N = 3 MDZ

N = 5 LID

N = 3 CLZ

50% response to PHB.

2/5 responded to LID as 2nd line treatment.

No response to CLZ and MDZ.

Pressler et al. [25]

N = 14; term.

HIE

BMT (0.05–03 mg/kg) + PHB (10 mg/kg)

N = 8 MDZ

N = 5 PHE

N = 2 LID

N = 4 PHB

5/14 had seizure cessation on BMT + PHB. 3/14 had hearing loss.

Falsaperla et al. [26]

N = 30; term.

N = 23 HIE

N = 3 stroke

N = 4 CNS infection

PHB (20 mg/kg load, maintenance 5 mg/kg)

OR

LEV (load dose 20 mg/kg, maintenance 20–40 mg/kg)

/

LEV’s administration related to a significantly positive HNNE score. There was no significant improvement in the HNNE score after one month in the neonates treated with PHB.