Effect of aminophylline or caffeine use on long-term respiratory functions in premature infants

ABSTRACT Effect of Aminophylline or Caffeine Use on Long-Term Respiratory Functions in Premature Infants Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the respiratory functions and atopy conditions of 4-6 years old patients treated with aminophylline or caffeine for the treatment of apnea due to premature birth. Materials and Methods: This study included 66 patients aged 4-6 years who were treated for prematurity between January 2012 and June 2015 in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units of Çukurova Medical Faculty and 30 healthy subjects without any known disease in the same age group. Thirty five of the premature babies received aminophylline treatment and 31 of them received caffeine treatment. All patients were examined for atopic disease, fx5, phadiotope, total IgE levels and skin tests were performed. Respiratory function test and reversibility test were performed in patients who could perform respiratory function tests. Results: The mean age of the patients treated with aminophylline was 60,2±6,3 (47-72) months, the mean age of the patients treated with caffeine was 55,7±5,9 (48-72) months, and the mean age of the healthy group was 61,0±7,4 (48-72) months. There was no statistically significant difference between fx5, phadiotope, total IgE levels and skin test results of all groups (p>0,05). In respiratory function tests, FVC was 77,2±14,4 (64-123) liters in patients who received aminophylline treatment, 74,6±9,6 (65-97) liters in patients receiving caffeine treatment, and 80,4±7,6 (68-104) liters in healthy group. While the mean FVC of the patients receiving caffeine treatment was the lowest, the mean FVC of the healthy group was highest (p=0,046). There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, MEF75, MEF50, MEF25 and MEF25-75 values in respiratory function tests (p>0,05). There were no significant differences in FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, MEF75, MEF50, MEF25 and MEF25-75 values in the reversibility test between the three groups (p>0,05). When the respiratory function tests of the cases BPD history and without BPD history were compared, FEV1 was higher in patients with BPD (p=0,02), but no statistically significant difference was found between the groups in FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, MEF75, MEF50, MEF25 and MEF25-75 values (p> 0,05). Conclusion: While the mean FVC value of our cases was highest in the healthy group, it was found in the lowest caffeine group. No statistically significant difference was found between the 3 groups in other respiratory function test parameters. These findings suggest that respiratory functions may be adversely affected in long term follow-up of premature babies. Keywords: Aminophylline, Caffeine, Prematurity, Respiratory function test