title: Changes in pulmonary mechanics following caffeine administration in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
abstract: The effects of caffeine upon pulmonary mechanics were measured in 16 infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Pulmonary function tests were performed immediately prior to and 1 hour following a dose of 10 mg/kg of caffeine. A 37% increase in minute ventilation (mean +/- SEM; 436.6 +/- 26.3 to 580.8 +/- 30.7 ml/min/kg) was seen with caffeine administration (P less than 0.001), primarily from a 42% increase in tidal volume (6.2 +/- 0.4 to 8.5 +/- 0.4 ml/kg) (P less than 0.001). Total lung resistance decreased by 20% (134.6 + 24.2 to 105.3 +/- 20.1 cmH2O/L/sec) (P = 0.01), and total pulmonary compliance improved by 47% (0.642 +/- 0.104 to 0.908 +/- 0.190 ml/cmH2O/kg) (P less than 0.01). In five matched control infants with BPD, no effects of placebo upon pulmonary mechanics were detected. Since caffeine has a wide therapeutic index with few side effects, it may be an effective adjunct in the treatment of infants with BPD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics (Neonatology), Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY 14642.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Bhutani
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Stefano
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Spitzer
mesh_terms: D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects*; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008170:Lung Compliance / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D002110:Caffeine