Abstract
To compare the efficiency of theophylline vs caffeine in controlling idiopathic apnea of premature infants, we studied 16 infants with 3 or more severe apneic attacks (i.e. apnea > 10 seconds with H.R. < 80 beats/min. > 30 sec.) during a 24 hours cardiorespiratory recording. These infants were randomly assigned to the theophylline treated (group I : n = 8 ; GA = 30.5 ± 0.4 wk ; BW = 1.27 ± 0.07 kg ; PNA = 11.7 ± 1.9 days) or the caffeine treated group (group II : n = 8 ; GA = 30.5 ± 0.7 wk ; BW = 1.46 ± 0.10 kg ; PNA = 11.6 ± 2.8 days) (means ± SEM). The corresponding treatment was started immediately using currently accepted doses and schedules.
Recordings immediately before (day 0) and after randomization (day 1), and four days later (day 5) allowed to calculate and to compare the apnea indices (AI)(i.e. average number of severe apneic attacks per 100 minutes) in the two groups. The AI on day0 day 1 and day 5 were similar in groups I and II (d0 : 1.02 ± 0.4 vs 1.42 ± 0.7 ; dl = 0.12 ± 0.04 vs 0.13 ± 0.1 ; d5 = 0.06 ± 0.02 vs 0.07 ± 0.02). Significant decreases (p<0.001) of AI were observed from d0 to dl and from d0 to d5 in the two groups.
We conclude that theophylline and caffeine demonstrate similar efficiency in the treatment of apnea. We suggest therefore that caffeine which is easier to use and potentially less toxic than theophylline should be preferably chosen.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Murat, I., Moriette, G., Brouard, C. et al. IS THEOPHYLLINE MORE EFFICIENT THAN CAFFEINE IN CONTROLLING APNEA IN PREMATURE INFANTS?. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 336 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01459
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01459