Abstract
Because there has been a dearth of data regarding caffeine and theophylline pharmacokinetics in older preterm infants, we studied 17 premature infants with apnea at an age of 15-38 days (G.A.=29.7±1.9 wks, M±SD). They received oral or IV caffeine at a dose of 2.3 to 10.3 mg/kg/day (x=4.9±1.8) once or twice daily. To 25 μl of plasma an equal amount of acetonitrile was added. After vortex and ultracentrifugation, 15 μl of supernatant were injected into a reverse phase HPLC column and monitored at 280 nm. β-hydroxyethyltheophylline was the internal standard.
Results are as follows:
We found no correlation between gestational age, weight, age, or dose and caffeine or theophylline levels. It was significant that on similar doses, patients on a twice a day schedule had much higher peak and trough levels than on one dose/day. We now use BID doses for caffeine therapy because of the higher levels attained.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Duran, C., Berlin, C., Pearlman, S. et al. CAFFEINE AND THEOPHYLLINE METABOLISM IN OLDER PRETERM INFANTS. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 234 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00405
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00405