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Prophylactic methylxanthine for prevention of apnea in preterm infants (2313 words) |
 | Methylxanthines are thought to stimulate breathing efforts and have been used in clinical practice to reduce apnea since the 1970's. |
| Theophylline and caffeine are two forms of methylxanthine that have been used and they are effective for the treatment of infants with recurrent apnea (Henderson-Smart 2005). |
| Another review has suggested that methylxanthines prior to extubation might be of benefit in reducing the rate of respiratory failure, which is due in part to hypoventilation and apnea (Henderson-Smart 05a). |
| Methylxanthine treatment for apnea in preterm infants (3398 words) |
| Methylxanthines are thought to stimulate breathing efforts and have been used in clinical practice to reduce apnea since the 1970's (reviewed by Samuels 1992; Henderson-Smart 04b; Comer 2001). |
| Although methylxanthines lead to a reduction of apnea in preterm infants who have this clinical problem, they are not effective when given as prophylaxis to spontaneously breathing preterm infants at risk of developing apnea/bradycardia because of their low gestational age (Henderson-Smart 04a). |
| Methylxanthines are effective in reducing the number of apneic attacks in the short term and in reducing the use of mechanical ventilation. |
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