All issues > Volume 18(8); 1975

Case Report

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1975;18(8):604-607. Published online August 31, 1975.

A Case Report of Phenobarbital Idiosyncrasy

Sook Hee Rho¹, Tae Yeul Ma¹, Sun Huh¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Incheon Christian Hospital

Abstract

This is a case report of phenobarbital idiosyncrasy in a 2 months old female. The patient was admitted to our pediatric ward with symptoms of cyanosis, tachycardia and cheyne stoke respirations a few minutes after taking a small dose of phenobarbital. We confirmed this diagnosis more accurately after giving her other drugs (aspirin etc. which was given with phenobarbital previously) and found no trouble at all with these medicines. Phenobarbital is one of the popular drugs which is used by many clinicians because of its good effects, quite rare side reactions and its cheap cost. In the phenobarbital idiosyncrasy, history is most important in diagnosis, and the commonest side effects are skin rash, respiratory distress and excitement. The treatment is not specific but symptomatic. Review of the literature was made briefly.

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