title: Theophylline pharmacokinetics in premature infants with apnea.
abstract: The pharmacokinetics of theophylline were examined in eight low-birth-weight infants (gestation: 26-32 weeks: birth-weight: 887-1,480 gm), who received the drug for treatment of primary apnea. The drug was assayed by high pressure liquid chromatography. The final dosage was 1 to 3 mg/kg/6 hour at 25 to 37 days of age. At the time, theophylline had a prolonged half-life ranging from 13 to 29 hours, a relatively large volume of distribution of 0.65 to 2.86 1/kg, and a small body clearance of 23 to 68 ml/hr/kg. The extremely slow and variable elimination of theophylline must be considered in treatment of apneic infants. The initial dosage regimen suggested is a loading dose of 6 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 2 mg/kg/ 12 hours, with adjustments made based on monitoring of the serum concentration and on an increased biotransformation capability as maturation occurs.
mesh_terms: D001049:Apnea / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D013806:Theophylline