title: CO(2) inhalation as a treatment for apnea of prematurity: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effect of prolonged inhalation of a low concentration of CO(2) with theophylline for the treatment of apnea of prematurity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial of 87 preterm infants with apnea of prematurity (27-32 weeks' gestational age) assigned to either theophylline plus 0.5 L/min of room air via nasal prongs or placebo plus 0.5 L/min with CO(2) (about 1% inhaled) by nasal prongs for 3 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Apnea time significantly decreased in the theophylline group from 189±33 s/h (control) to 57±11, 50±9, and 61±13 (days 1-3) (P=.0001) and in the CO(2) group from 183±44 (control) to 101±26, 105±29, and 94±26 s/h (days 1-3) (P=.03). Seven infants in the CO(2) group but none in the theophylline group failed to complete the study due to severe apneas (P=.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because theophylline was more effective in reducing the number and severity of apneas, inhalation of low concentration of CO(2), as used in the present study, cannot be considered as an alternative to theophylline in the treatment of apnea of prematurity. The less effectiveness of CO(2) treatment may have been related to the variability of the delivery of CO(2).
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. ralvaro@exchange.hsc.mb.ca
authors: Ruben E
authors: RE
authors: Alvaro
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Khalil
authors: Mansour
authors: M
authors: Qurashi
authors: Saif
authors: S
authors: Al-Saif
authors: Abdulrahman
authors: A
authors: Al-Matary
authors: Aaron
authors: A
authors: Chiu
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Minski
authors: Juri
authors: J
authors: Manfreda
authors: Kim
authors: K
authors: Kwiatkowski
authors: Don
authors: D
authors: Cates
authors: Henrique
authors: H
authors: Rigatto
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D001049:Apnea / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D013806:Theophylline