Low Dose Aminophylline Effectively Decreases the Risk of Post-Operative Apnea in Premature Infants

BACKGROUND: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the most common reason behind surgical procedures in premature newborns. Anesthesia in these patients is life-threatening due to post-operative apnea of prematurity (POA). This study aimed to determine the predisposing factors to POA in premature infants and to explore the role of prophylactic aminophylline in decreasing the incidence of POA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with prematurity who were candidates for elective eye surgery (less than one hour) were selected and received aminophylline (3 mg/kg) 5 minutes after the induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane. Patients were kept in the recovery room for 2 hours post-operation in an incubator and were monitored for SPO2, apnea, bradycardia and other signs of desaturation and apnea. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the gestational age and weight, sex, postconceptual age and weight and other demographic characteristics between the experimental and control groups. Gestational age<28 weeks, postconceptual age<60 weeks, birth weight, operation weight and anemia (OR=1.91; 95% CI: 1.24-3.73; P=0.012) were the predisposing factors associated with postoperative apnea. Treatment with aminophylline as compared with the placebo was associated with a significantly decreased risk of post-operative apnea (OR=0.53; 95% CI 0.28–0.98; P=0.034). CONCLUSION: Aminophylline can be used prophylactically to decrease the risk of postoperative apnea with no major adverse effects.