Abstract
Anecdotal case reports and animal studies (using intraperitoneal theophylline [T] at high doses) have suggested that T therapy may damage gut mucosa and increase the risk of NEC. Therefore, in order to investigate the role of T in the pathogenesis of NEC, 275 infants <1500g were prospectively studied over a three year period. 135 infants (49%) received T (maintaining a serum concentration of 8-12 mg/1) for treatment of apnea of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia or to assist in weaning from mechanical ventilation. The overall incidence of NEC was 10% (28 cases). The table below demonstrates that 12/135 (9%) of infants treated with T and 16/140 (11%) of untreated infants developed NEC.
The mean ± SD age of onset of NEC was 18±17 days in T treated infants and 19±13 days in untreated infants. Only 3% (4/135) of T treated infants developed NEC within 1 week of starting therapy. Chi square analysis revealed no differences between the 2 groups (P>.1). Multifactorial analysis of risk factors among the 28 infants with NEC revealed no differences between treatment groups. The data suggest that treatment of premature infants with T does not increase their risk for developing NEC.
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Davis, J., Abbasi, S., Johnson, L. et al. 1373 THEOPHYLLINE TREATMENT DOES NOT INCREASE THE RISK OF NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS IN PRETERM INFANTS. Pediatr Res 19, 339 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01397
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01397