Cord Blood Theophylline Levels and Respiratory Morbidities In Preterm Infants

Abstract

Objective: to investigate whether there is any relationship between cord blood theophylline levels and pulmonary morbidities in the early neonatal period in premature infants.

Study Design: This prospective cohort study was conducted in Hacettepe University Hospital Neonatology Unit, between November 2010 and January 2012. Cord blood samples were collected at birth from premature infants, and theophylline levels were measured. Theophylline levels of cord blood were compared between infants with and without pulmonary morbidity.

Results: A total of 90 infants (42 females, 48 males) were enrolled in the study. The mean gestational age was 31.1±3.1 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 1527±540 g. Early respiratory morbidities developed in 57 infants (63.3%), while no respiratory morbidities were observed in 33 infants (36.7%). There was no significant difference between the groups in blood gas parameters, oxygen saturation values and cord blood theophylline levels.

Conclusions: Although the theophylline levels that were measured in the cord blood were much lower than therapeutic serum levels, we concluded that the cord theophylline level is not valuable as a prognostic factor for pulmonary morbidities in premature newborns.