American journal of diseases of children (1960)
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparative efficacy of theophylline and caffeine in the treatment of idiopathic apnea in premature infants.
The purpose of our prospective randomized study was to compare the efficacy of theophylline ethylenediamine and caffeine sodium citrate in the treatment of idiopathic apnea in premature infants. Sixteen infants with three or more severe apneic attacks were studied. ⋯ No undesirable side effects were observed, except for tachycardia in one infant in group 1. We suggest reasons for preferring caffeine to theophylline in the control of idiopathic apnea in premature infants: caffeine is as efficient and easier to administer.