Reducing the Incidence of Chronic Lung Disease in Very Premature Infants with Aminophylline

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to assess the safety and preventative effects of aminophylline on the incidence of chronic lung disease (CLD) in very premature infants. METHODS: This was a long follow-up randomized clinical trial. The prophylactic effect of aminophylline on the incidence of CLD was investigated in very premature infants. The study group received aminophylline for the 1(st) 10 days of life and control infants received no aminophylline during the 1(st) 10 days of life. RESULTS: Fifty-two infants participated (26 aminophylline, 26 controls). Premature infants on aminophylline had clearly shorter oxygen dependency time than those in the control group. Median time of oxygen dependency was 3 (0-9.5) days and 14 (3-40.5) days in group A and C, respectively (P: 0.001). Incidence of CLD was significantly different between the two groups. Only two infants (8.7%) on aminophylline developed CLD, when compared to 11 infants (44.0%), who did not receive aminophylline (P: 0.006). No side-effects were reported in the neonates (P: 1). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the preventative effects of aminophylline on the incidence of CLD in very premature infants. In other words, the more premature the infants, the greater will be the preventative effect of aminophylline on the incidence of CLD.