Treatment of severe apnea in prematures with orally administered theophylline.
Twelve premature infants with primary apnea were treated with theophylline as an alternative to mechanical ventilation.  There was a significant (P smaller than .005) reduction in the mean daily number and the severity of apneic episodes after treatment.  The only significant side effect noted was a rise in heart rate.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001049:Apnea / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013806:Theophylline