Apneic spells associated with timolol therapy in a neonate

A 2-week-old premature child with congenital glaucoma secondary to anterior cleavage syndrome was treated with timolol maleate and cyclocryotherapy. The patient had apneic spells of up to 30 seconds that stopped soon after timolol maleate therapy was discontinued. No apnea was seen before timolol maleate administration, and no further spells were noted after subsequent cyclocryotherapy without timolol maleate treatment. Possible central nervous system toxicity of timol maleate or its metabolic by-products in neonates with immature blood-brain barriers was noted.