Abstract
Eight premature infants (mean B.W. 1080 g, Gestational age 28 weeks) with severe idiopathic apnea (> 20 sec.) were treated with Aminophylline 2 mg/kg q. 6 hrs. iv during the first week of life. Minute ventilation (VE), ventilatory response to 4% CO2, dynamic lung compliance (CL), end tidal CO2 (PACO2), oxygen consumption (VO2) and arterial blood gases were determined before and 48 hrs. after treatment was started. All measurements were done during sleep, after feedings.
Lung compliance and oxygen requirements did not change significantly after treatment. Alveolar ventilation (VA) was calculated assuming an RQ of 0.8. VA increased from 88 ml/min to 149 ml/min, mainly because of a rise in tidal volume. This increase of 70% can only partially be explained by the 20% increase in metabolic rate, indicating an additional rise in respiratory center output. This rise was reflected in a significant shift of the CO2 response curve to the left without change in its slope as reported in the adult. In conclusion, Aminophylline reduces the incidence of apneic spells in prematures by increasing their central ventilatory drive. This finding is consistent with the theory that idiopathic apnea is related to a respiratory center malfunction.
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Gerhardt, T., Mccarthy, J. & Bancalari, E. EFFECTS OF AMINOPHYLLINE ON THE VENTILATION AND METABOLIC RATE IN PREMATURE INFANTS WITH APNEA. Pediatr Res 11, 533 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00981
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00981