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Theophylline and gastric emptying in very low birthweight neonates: a randomised controlled trial

A Gounaris1, P Kokori, L Varchalama

  • 1Regional General Hospital, Nikea, Athens 116 34, Greece. gounaran@ath.forthnet.gr

Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|June 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Theophylline treatment significantly delays gastric emptying in preterm infants, with a longer half-time for antral cross-sectional area changes. This finding is crucial for managing apnoea of prematurity.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Physiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Theophylline is used for apnoea of prematurity but causes side effects.
  • Vomiting and abdominal distension may stem from delayed gastric emptying.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of theophylline on gastric emptying time in preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • 18 preterm neonates (mean birth weight 1302g, gestational age 28.7 weeks) were studied.
  • Gastric emptying was assessed via ultrasound (antral cross-sectional area) over 120 minutes.
  • Measurements were taken with and without theophylline treatment, with randomized administration timing.

Main Results:

  • Theophylline significantly increased gastric emptying half-time (52 min vs 37 min, p < 0.05).
  • Mean antral cross-sectional area (ACSA) half-time was prolonged in neonates receiving theophylline.

Conclusions:

  • Theophylline administration appears to delay gastric emptying in very low birthweight neonates.
  • Clinicians should consider this effect when prescribing theophylline for apnoea of prematurity.
Abstract

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