Oxygen consumption in apneic premature infants after low-dose theophylline.

Abstract

The effects of 2 mg/kg/day theophylline (serum concentrations, 2.9 to 4.7 micrograms/ml) on metabolic rate were observed in 11 premature infants with severe idiopathic apnea of prematurity. Oxygen consumption (VO2/kg) increased 25% from 6.5 +/- 0.4 (SEM) to 8.1 +/- 0.6 cc/min/kg after 24 to 48 hr of therapy. Respiratory quotient did not change. Apnea and bradycardia decreased from 8.6 +/- 1.4 to 1.6 +/- 0.5 episodes/hr and 4.4 +/- 1.1 to 1.2 +/- 0.4 episodes/hr, respectively. This dose of theophylline is effective in idiopathic apnea of prematurity and acts as a metabolic stimulant. In the premature infant, theophylline-induced increases in VO2 may be a result of changes in the sleep state.

• Authors: R L Milsap, A N Krauss, P A Auld
• Journal: Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (Clin Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 28 Issue 4 Pg. 536-40 (Oct 1980) ISSN: 0009-9236 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7408413 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Theophylline

Topics

• Apnea (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Infant, Premature, Diseases (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Male
• Oxygen Consumption (drug effects)
• Theophylline (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)