Abstract
To evaluate the effect of theophylline (TH) on ventilatory response of growing preterm infants to a combined inspiratory (I) and expiratory (E) resistive load, 6 babies were studied before (Gr. I) and during (Gr. II) TH therapy (mean ± SEM TH level = 8.0 ± 1.1 mg%) . Mean ± SEM values were: birthweight = 1256 ± 138gm; gestational age = 30.2 ± 0.8 wks; study age = 48 ± 4.4 days and study weight = 1868 ± 245 gm. Control data including tidal volume (TV), minute ventilation (MV), peak inspiratory flow (VI), peak expiratory flow (VE), inspiratory time/total respiratory time (TI/Ttot), respiratory frequency (f) and esophageal pressure (Pes) were obtained before and after application of I & E loads (R1 = 50 R2 = 100 cm H2O/L/sec) for 60 sec. Mean ± SEM values in Gr. II were: TV = 7.4 ± 0.8 ml/kg, MV = 172.3 ± 77.0 ml/min/kg, VI = 3.45 ± .70 L/min, VE = 3.12 ± .65 L/min, TI/Ttot = 0.46, f = 72 ± 5 breaths/min. Pes 8.7 ± 2.7 cm H2O. Application of R1 and R2 was associated with a significant decrease (p < .05) in both VT (Gr. I: 25%) and MV (Gr. I: 44%, Gr. II: 29%). In addition, in Gr.I, 4 of 6 neonates did not tolerate R1 and R2 and had irregular respirations and pauses. Pes increased significantly (p < .05) only in Gr. II during both R1 and R2. During the loads, in Gr. II no changes in transcutaneous O2 and CO2 tensions were observed. These data demonstrate that TH therapy is associated with increased capability to generate higher Pes and improved load tolerance.
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Abbasi, S., Sivieri, E., Bhutani, V. et al. EFFECT OF THEOPHYLLINE ON VENTILATORY RESPONSES OF GROWING PRETERM NEONATES TO COMBINED INSPIRATORY AND EXPIRATORY LOADS. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 385 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01751
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01751