Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026

How to Administer Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Critically ill Neonates, Infants, and Children
Published on: August 19, 2020
Aminophylline compatibility with neonatal total parenteral nutrition
Rachel Sykes1, Christopher McPherson, Kristi Foulks
1Pediatric Pharmacy Resident, UNC Hospital, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Objectives:
Aminophylline has proven useful for treating renal failure in preterm infants. Previous reports state that aminophylline is incompatible with some neonatal total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions. If this is correct, administration of aminophylline doses would be complicated by the need to hold TPN and provide flush solution after each aminophylline dose. Our experience with administering aminophylline over 30 minutes concurrently with TPN was that this was not problematic. We therefore examined the in vitro compatibility of aminophylline and TPN solutions used in our neonates over a 30-minute interval to see if our policy of allowing concurrent mixing of these products was appropriate.
Methods:
TPN solutions (2.5 mL) were mixed with 1 mL of intravenous aminophylline 2.5 mg/mL in a glass vial. Three different TPN solutions used in our NICU were collected for the study, and five samples of each combination were prepared. Samples were watched for 60 minutes to see if precipitation occurred.
Results:
Although the aminophylline and TPN solutions were not miscible, no turbidity or precipitation was observed.
Conclusions:
This study supports that aminophylline is physically compatible with neonatal TPN for 60 minutes.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
