Abstract
The comparative .effects of caffeine therapy (C) and theophylline therapy (T) on ventilatory responses of growing preterm infants with periodic breathing were evaluated. X±SEM BW=1500±88gm, GA=31.4wks±1.45, study age=34.7±9.4wks, study weight=2077±219gm, T level=8.4±2.2mg/dl, C level=10.0±l.3mg/dl. An external combined inspiratory and expiratory load (R=100cm H2O/L/sec) was applied for 60 sec before and during T (Gr.1, N=8), and C (Gr.2, N=6). Pulmonary variables: tidal volume (VT), respiratory frequency (f), minute ventilation (MV), inspiratory time/total respiratory time (TI/TT), esophageal pressure (Pes) and work of breathing (WOE) were obtained before and 60 sec after application of R. There was no significant difference between the two groups in control pulmonary measurements. Control values in Gr.1 prior to T were: VT=7.9±.7ml/kg, f=59.8±3.2 breaths/min, MV=466±4ml/ min/kg, TITT=.47±.23, Pes=9.3±1.7cm H2O, WOB=43.6±14.3gm cm/kg. 6/8 infants had several apneic pauses and only 4/8 tolerated R for 60 sec prior to T. 4/6 Gr.2 infants had apneic pauses and 5/6 tolerated R prior to C. Application of R resulted in an increase in Pes. This response was significantly greater (p<.05) during T and C. T and C therapy similarly resulted in improved ventilatory endurance (all infants in Gr.1 and 2 tolerated load for 60 sec with significantly fewer respiratory pauses). There was no significant difference between the T and C in augmenting ventilatory drive and maintaining ventilatory output.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Abbasi, S., Sivieri, E., Bhutani, V. et al. 1722 THE COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF THEOPHYLLINE AND CAFFEINE THERAPY ON VENTILATORY RESPONSES OF GROWING PRETERM NEONATES TO COMBINED INSPIRATORY AND EXPIRATORY LOADS. Pediatr Res 19, 397 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01740
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01740