title: 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.
mesh_terms: D001049:Apnea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D013806:Theophylline