A 12-month-old child with severe developmental delays was recently treated in an emergency department for a febrile seizure and is seen by the primary care NP for a follow-up visit.The child's parent asks if it is necessary to continue giving the child phenobarbital.The NP should tell the parent that:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has concluded that the risks of long-term treatment with phenobarbital outweigh the potential benefits in most cases,continued treatment with this drug is used in children at greatest risk for future neurologic problems,including children with febrile seizures before 18 months of age and children with neurologic dysfunction or severe developmental delays.

A 12-Month-Old Child with Severe Developmental Delays Was Recently Treated