American journal of diseases of children (1960)
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Limitations of theophylline in the treatment of apnea of prematurity.
Theophylline is commonly used to treat apnea of prematurity. To determine the effectiveness of theophylline with respect to gestational and postnatal age, we conducted a controlled study in 43 premature infants with idiopathic apnea. Three of the 21 treated and eight of the 22 control infants developed respiratory failure. ⋯ Three treated infants and three control infants had apneic episodes persisting beyond the neonatal period. Patients treated with theophylline did not develop respiratory failure as often as control infants did. However, despite a reduction of apneic episodes, theophylline did not shorten the course of apnea of prematurity.
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Numerous accounts of a unique psychological state associated with near-fatal events have been described in adults; however, we know of no studies in the medical literature of the nature or incidence of such experiences in children. Four of seven children who survived cardiopulmonary arrests or coma associated with trauma, drownings, or hyperosmolar states reported near-death experiences. ⋯ Clearly, children report near-death experiences similar to ones previously described in adults. Further systematic study of this phenomenon is indicated.