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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
A Swine Model of Neonatal Asphyxia
Published on: October 11, 2011
Theophylline for infants with abnormal pneumographic results. A randomized double blind, placebo-controlled trial
1Intensive Care Unit, Gottfried von Preyer Children's Hospital, Vienna, Austria.
Insights
Theophylline effectively reduces central apneas in infants, decreasing both incidence and density of prolonged breathing pauses. This treatment offers benefits beyond natural age-related improvements in infant respiratory control.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Infant apneas and periodic breathing are common concerns in neonatology.
- Pneumographic abnormalities indicate potential respiratory challenges in newborns.
- Understanding the efficacy of pharmacological interventions is crucial for infant care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess theophylline's impact on the frequency and severity of central apneas.
- To evaluate theophylline's effect on periodic breathing incidence.
- To compare theophylline's efficacy against age-related resolution of respiratory abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 96 infants with abnormal pneumograms.
- Infants were allocated to receive either theophylline or a placebo.
- A control group of 94 healthy infants was included for comparison.
Main Results:
- Theophylline significantly reduced the incidence and density of apneas (≥15 seconds).
- Theophylline treatment resulted in fewer short apneas (≥6 seconds) compared to controls.
- Both theophylline and placebo groups showed age-related reductions in periodic breathing.
Conclusions:
- Theophylline is effective in managing infant apneas, reducing both their occurrence and duration.
- The benefits of theophylline extend beyond natural maturation of breathing patterns.
- Theophylline represents a valuable therapeutic option for infants experiencing significant apneas.
Abstract:
To evaluate the effectiveness of theophylline on density of central apnoeas and on incidence of periodic breathing; to compare the effect with age-related resolution of pneumogram abnormalities. Ninety-six infants (mean age 27.4 days; mean birth weight 2502 gm) with abnormal pneumographic results were randomly allocated to receive theophylline or placebo. The control group consisted of 94 healthy age- and weight-matched infants. After four weeks of treatment infants in the theophylline group had a significantly lower incidence (2.1% vs. 4.3%) and density of apnoeas > or = 15 sec (0.001 vs. 0.003). There were significantly less short apnoeas (> or = 6 sec.) in theophylline treated than in control infants (p < 0.01). The number of periodic breathing episodes showed a significant, presumably age-related reduction in both treatment groups. We conclude that theophylline is an effective agent in reducing the incidence and duration of apnoeas beyond what would be expected from age-related maturation of breathing.
