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Doxapram versus methylxanthine for apnea in preterm infants
1NSW Centre for Perinatal Health Services Research, Queen Elizabeth II Institute for Mothers and Infants, Building DO2, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA, 2006. dhs@mail.usyd.edu.au
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|October 18, 2000
Summary
Doxapram and methylxanthine are similar in short-term effectiveness for treating recurrent apnea in preterm infants. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and assess long-term outcomes and potential adverse effects.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Recurrent apnea is prevalent in preterm infants, potentially causing hypoxemia and bradycardia.
- Stimulant medications like doxapram and methylxanthines are used to prevent apnea and its complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of doxapram versus methylxanthine in treating recurrent apnea in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and quasi-randomized trials were conducted.
- Searches included Cochrane Collaboration, MEDLINE, and reference lists.
- Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by reviewers.
Main Results:
- Three trials with 56 infants were analyzed.
- No significant difference was found in treatment failure rates within 48 hours between intravenous doxapram and methylxanthine.
- No infants required mechanical ventilation, and no adverse effects were reported.
Conclusions:
- Intravenous doxapram and methylxanthine show similar short-term effects for treating apnea in preterm infants.
- Current trials are too small to rule out important differences or less common adverse effects.
- Further large-scale studies are necessary to evaluate long-term outcomes and drug-specific responses.