Background: Poor breathing effort results in decrease oxygen supply to brain and other organs that lead to birth asphyxia. Phenobarbital and magnesium sulphate are both neuroprotective to asphyxia! injury to brain.

Objective: To compare the frequency of neonatal mortality with phenobarbital versus magnesium sulphate in the management of birth asphyxia

Study Design: Randomized control trial

Place and Duration of Study: Pediatrics Department, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, from 8th March 2020 to 8th September 2020.

Methodology: One hundred and two neonates were enrolled. After taking informed consent from parents their demographic data was obtained. Then patients were divided in to two groups; group A treated with Phenobarbital and other group B treated with magnesium sulphate.

Results: The mean age of group A neonates was 54.37+14.303 days and in group B 48.40+15.20 days with male to female ratio was 0.7:1. Adverse outcome occurred in 12 (11.54%) patients. Statistically insignificant difference (P=0.122) was found between groups.

Conclusion: There is more adverse effects outcome with magnesium sulphate than phenobarbital however the difference was statistically insignificant for management of neonates with birth asphyxia.

Keywords: Birth asphyxia, Neonates, Magnesium sulphate (MgS04), Phenobarbital