Theophylline derivatives for bronchiolitis induced apnoea
| Citation | Study group | Study type (level of evidence) | Outcome | Key results | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tobias (2000) | 7 infants with RSV associated apnoea Gestational age 28–32 weeks Age at presentation 14–64 days | Retrospective review (level 4) | Prevention of mechanical ventilation | No infant had episodes of apnoea or bradycardia from 2 to18 hours after the initial loading dose | Initial dose of caffeine base was 10 mg/kg and if further doses are needed, given as 5 mg/kg as second dose and 2.5 mg/kg as third dose |
| Johnston and Kuzemko (1992) | 2 infants 1. RSV positive. Gestational age 33 weeks. Post conceptional age 40 weeks 2.Echo virus type 2. Gestational age 36 weeks. Post conceptional age 37 weeks | Case report (level 4) | Prevention of mechanical ventilation | Respiration became regular with disappearance of apnoea immediately after administration of aminophylline | 5 mg/kg of iv aminophylline followed by 5–7 days of oral theophylline |
| DeBuse and Cartwright (1979) | 1 infant with RSV positive bronchiolitis. Gestational age 29 weeks. Post conceptional age 38 weeks. | Case report (level 4) | Prevention of mechanical ventilation | No apnoeic episodes occurred 9 hours after administration of theophylline | Oral theophylline. Loading dose of 10 mg/kg in aliquots,then 4 mg/kg 6 hrly ×24 hours followed by 1 mg/kg |