Abstract
8 preterm infants GA ± SD, 30.5 ± 1.6 wks, BW 1.4 ± 0.2 kg, mean age 4.6 ± 2.6 d, presenting ≥ 3 idiopathic A/24h, ≥ 15s + bradycardia ≤ 100 bpm, received IV DX either 0.25 mg/kg/h (DX1) or 1 mg/kg/h (DX2) the 2nd day of treatment when A persisted. Respiratory and heart rates (RR, HR), TcPO2, TcPCO2, art-pressure were recorded. Occlusion pressure (P0.1) and respiratory function tests were evaluated before DX and during each dose regime (mean ± SD). None of the doses affected RR or HR, art-press. or TcPO2. No side effect WaS observed. A reappeared at a mean time of 81 ± 59 min after the end of DX, requiring caffeine P.O. These results confirm the efficacy of DX at low doses. The discrepancy between the effects on A and on respiratory function with DX1 suggests a peripheral action. Early recurrence of A at the end of DX may correspond to a very short half-life.
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Vert, P., Bairam, A., Faulon, M. et al. Doxapram (DX) for apnea (A) of prematurity; effects on pulmonary function. Pediatr Res 22, 230 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198708000-00103
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198708000-00103