Abstract
The efficacy of intravenous phenytoin for the treatment of status epilepticus is related to the rapid entry of phenytoin into brain parenchyma. There is no information concerning the correlation between phenytoin serum and CSF concentrations in children, and the application of CSF data to clinical use. We report 7 children (2-11 yrs) who were treated or exposed to phenytoin in doses between 10.5-230 mg/kg. Lumbar puncture was performed 9 times in 6 of the patients. In one patient, an intraventricular catheter permitted successive assessment of CSF phenytoin concentrations. The ratio of CSF/serum phenytoin concentrations was 0.16 +/- 0.08, with gradual increase over the first 8 hours as the serum phenytoin concentration decreased. There was good correlation between therapeutic outcome and CSF phenytoin levels higher than 2 mcg/ml. In one patient the coma state secondary to phenytoin intoxication was associated with high CSF concentration (6 mcg/ml).
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: The Canadian journal of neurological sciences. Le journal canadien des sciences neurologiques
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
