Low-dose aminophylline for the treatment of neonatal non-oliguric renal failure-case series and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
Aminophylline is a methylxanthine with multiple physiologic actions. At low doses, aminophylline can antagonize adenosine and improve renal function via increased glomerular filtration rate. Despite its clinical use, little data exists in neonates for this indication. Therefore, the objective of this report is to describe the impact of aminophylline on renal function indices in a series of neonates with acute renal failure.


METHODS
This was a retrospective chart review of 13 neonates with acute renal failure who received aminophylline during a 15-month study period. Aminophylline was administered at 1 mg/kg intravenously or orally every twelve hours. Forty-six percent (n = 6) of the patients received a 5 mg/kg loading dose before initiation of maintenance therapy. Most patients had already received other treatments for renal failure, including diuretics and dopamine.


RESULTS
Resolution of acute renal failure (with normalization of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen) was documented in 10 patients (77%). Four of the thirteen patients died from complications due to their prematurity. Failure of low-dose aminophylline was observed in 3 of the 4 patients who died.


CONCLUSIONS
Low-dose aminophylline in neonates with acute renal failure is associated with an improvement in renal function indices.
Departments of Neonatal Medicine and Pharmacy, Women's Hospital, Greensboro, North Carolina.
Bethany A
BA
Lynch
Peter
P
Gal
J Laurence
JL
Ransom
Rita Q
RQ
Carlos
Mary Ann V T
MA
Dimaguila
McCrae S
MS
Smith
John E
JE
Wimmer
Mitchell D
MD
Imm