Effects of Prophylactic Aminophylline Therapy on Clinical Outcomes in Premature Infants ≤ 33 Weeks

نویسندگان

1 Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan

2 Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan

3 Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Mu’tah University, Karak, Jordan

4 Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan

5 Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan

doi
10.48309/jmcs.2025.219198
چکیده

Aminophylline is utilized to treat apnea of prematurity (AOP) during the critical first 72 hours of life. The aim of this study was to quantify the disparity in the length of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and the likelihood of subsequent mechanical ventilation (MV) requirement within the initial 72 hours of life among preterm neonates born prior to 33 weeks of gestation, stratified by receipt of aminophylline therapy versus no aminophylline therapy. A retrospective cohort design was followed to examine 133 preterm infants admitted to the neonatal critical care unit (NICU) gestational age (GA) of ≤ 33 weeks over a three-year period. Infants were separated into two groups: 69 infants received aminophylline and 64 others did not. Males comprised 29 (45.3%) and 34 (49.3%) in control and aminophylline groups, respectively. Aminophylline treatment did not significantly impact the CPAP period (p=0.18); however, it had been related to a noteworthy decrease in MV (5 (7.5%) in aminophylline group vs. 20 (31.3%) in controls, p=0.002) and oxygen support (4.41 days in aminophylline group vs. 6.64 days in controls, p=0.005). The study demonstrated a significantly higher increase in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) (1 (1.6%) in controls vs. 8 (11.6%) in aminophylline group) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) stage 2 or more (7 (10.9%) in controls vs. 15 (21.7%) in aminophylline group). The aminophylline group had a significantly lower mortality rate than controls (4 (5.8%) vs. 16 (25%), respectively, p=0.002). Aminophylline has been linked to a significant reduction in oxygen and MV support, and a decreased mortality rate. Therefore, further research is needed to evaluate the long-term effect on respiratory health and neurodevelopment.