Bayesian Hypothesis Testing: Interim Analysis of aClinical Trial Evaluating Phenytoin for the Prophylaxis ofEarly Post-Traumatic Seizures in Children

Headinjury,bothaccidentalandinflicted,resultsinapproximately12,000 physicianvisits,200hospitalizations,and10deathsper100,000children intheUnitedStateseachyear(Bruce,1990;Krauseta/.,1986;Annegers, 1983).Neurologicdamageduetoheadinjuryoccursbothatthetimeof theinitialinjury(primaryinjury)andduringtheperiodoftimethatfollows (secondaryinjury)(Bruce,1990).Reducedbloodflowtothebrain,due toincreasedintracranialpressure,isresponsibleformostsecondaryinjury.Theprimarygoaloftheinitialcareofchildrenwithsignificanthead traumaisthepreventionofsecondaryinjury(Bruce,1990;James,1986).