Exchange transfusion treatment in a newborn with phenobarbital intoxication

A comatose, M-day-old bog was referred to our emergency department (ED) aft er an overdose of phenobarbital, which was used for the treatment of long-s tanding jaundice. Plasma phenobarbital concentration was 112.4 mu g/ml befo re treatment. One hour after giving albium transfusion, an exchange transfu sion, which took about 45 minutes, was performed. Volume of exchange was 40 0 mi (volume of exchange (ml) = 2 x 85 ml/kg), After the exchange transfusi on, the phenobarbital concentration decreased to 50.84 mu g/ml. At clinical and laboratory followup, the patient recovered fully. This case suggests t hat exchange transfusion is an effective and successful treatment for pheno barbital intoxication in newborn.