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Doxapram and developmental delay at 12 months in children born extremely preterm

Ane Lando1, Anja Klamer, Finn Jonsbo

  • 1Department of Neonatology, The Juliane Marie Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. alando@dadlnet.dk

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|November 24, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Doxapram treatment in extremely preterm infants was linked to lower developmental scores. This suggests a potential negative impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes for these vulnerable children.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal medicine
  • Developmental pediatrics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Extremely preterm infants face significant neurodevelopmental risks.
  • Doxapram is a respiratory stimulant sometimes used in preterm infants.
  • The neurodevelopmental effects of doxapram in this population require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between doxapram administration and neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely preterm infants.
  • To evaluate the relationship between doxapram exposure and scores on a structured developmental assessment.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 88 extremely preterm infants was studied.
  • Parents were interviewed via telephone using a structured questionnaire (R-PDQ).
  • Developmental assessments were conducted at a corrected age of 9-15 months.

Main Results:

  • Doxapram treatment was associated with a deficit in age-adjusted R-PDQ scores.
  • Infants receiving doxapram demonstrated lower developmental scores compared to controls.
  • This association remained after adjusting for age.

Conclusions:

  • Doxapram administration may be associated with adverse neurodevelopmental effects in extremely preterm infants.
  • The findings suggest a potential negative impact of doxapram on neurodevelopmental trajectories.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore underlying mechanisms.
Abstract

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