Kinetics and efficacy of theophylline in the treatment of apnea in the premature newborn.
Aminophylline (theophylline-ethylenediamine) was administered to 27 premature newborns to prevent apneic spells. Of the 22 patients monitored for theophylline concentration, a therapeutic blood level was reached in 19 in 1--2 days, and 3 stayed below it. "Toxic" blood levels (less than or equal to 20 microgram/ml) were reached in 3 cases, one of whom showed signs of toxicity. Theophylline treatment was not efficient in the prevention of apnea when a serious underlying disease was present. Theophylline blood half-life (mean:27.0 h) and clearance (mean 12.9 ml/h/kg) confirmed the slow elimination pattern of the drug in the premature infant.
D001049:Apnea / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007700:Kinetics; D013806:Theophylline / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013806:Theophylline