The objective of the present proposed study is to discover whether, in the nursery setting, administration of low concentration inhaled CO2 (0.8%) for a prolonged period (3 days) can make breathing more regular with less apneic time than that observed with administration of theophylline. The hypothesis to be tested is that inhalation of low concentration CO2 (0.8%) will reduce apnea more effectively and will have fewer adverse side effects than theophylline.
1. To discover whether, in the nursery setting, continuous administration of a low concentration of inhaled CO2 (0.8%) for a prolonged period (3 days) can make breathing in preterm infants more regular with less apneic time than that observed with theophylline. 2. To discover whether inhalation of low CO2 decreases apneas, particularly prolonged apneas (\>20 seconds), more effectively than theophylline. 3. To discover whether short term (during hospitalization) and long term (2 years) adverse side effects are less pronounced with CO2 than with theophylline.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
87
Inhalation of CO2 (3% at the source, approximately 1% inhaled) with room air by nasal prongs at 0.5 l/min for 3 days
St Boniface General Hospital
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Health Sciences Centre
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
The decrease in total apnea time (duration of all apneic pauses ≥ 5 seconds) during administration of theophylline and carbon dioxide.
Time frame: 3 days
Decrease in the rate of long apneas (≥ 20 seconds) and the incidence of short term side effects
Time frame: 3 days
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.