6533b7d7fe1ef96bd1268ca0

RESEARCH PRODUCT

PO-0483 Prospective Observational Study Of Doxapram For The Treatment Of Apnea Of Prematurity

C BratekJulia WinterC WhybraI SchmidtmannB FekkerEva MildenbergerAndré Kidszun

subject

Pediatricsmedicine.medical_specialtybusiness.industrymedicine.medical_treatmentBirth weightGestational ageApneaDoxaprammedicine.diseaseAnesthesiaPediatrics Perinatology and Child HealthmedicineIntubationObservational studymedicine.symptomOutcome databusinessApnea of prematuritymedicine.drug

description

Background and aims After the implementation of a local treatment protocol at our NICU, we aimed to systematically evaluate if intubation for apnea of prematurity was avoided by doxapram. We asked, if frequency and severity of apneas were affected and if side effects occurred. Methods We prospectively analysed all premature infants 2 and side effects an hour before, at the start of, and during 48 h after onset of treatment. Results 21 of 66 (31.8%) infants (mean gestational age 25.5 weeks, mean birth weight 705 g) were treated during 2½ years. All of them had been treated with caffeine and CPAP before doxapram was applied. In 13 of 67 (19%) therapy courses, infants were intubated because of persistent apnea during 48 h of doxapram treatment. The frequency of apneas (2.7 vs. 0.2), bradycardias Conclusions Intubation was avoided in a large proportion of cases. In addition, frequency and severity of apneas diminished. Thus, doxapram seems to be effective. However, in face of side effects and lack of long term outcome data, it should be used with caution. Randomised studies are needed to achieve more information about efficacy and safety.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2014-10-01Archives of Disease in Childhood
https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2014-307384.1124