newborn in ICU

The baby was born 03/24/03. Drugs were in the baby system,Cocaine. They were done during the whole pregnancy ,except for the last month. He had a maconium test done, meaning it was in the baby stool, not in the blood or urine. He was put in icu on the 25th for breathing to fast. They said he had asperated his formula and fluid was on his lower left lobe. They put him on oxygen, and a feeding tube. He was taking two antibiotics and was placed on an IV. He is no longer on the IV,or antibiotics. He is still on the oxygen though. They are now giving him Phenabarbitol. Can you please give us some information on this medication, and what they might have perscribed it to him for? We realize this is given for several different reasons, but if you can please give us your opinion on the matter. Thank you for your time it is greatly appreciated.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Please address your question to the providers who are caring for your son. This Forum is mostly intended to answer questions about psychological, emotional and social development, and about childhood and adolescent behavior.