Comparison of the curative effect and benefits of caffeine citrate and aminophylline in treatment of apnea of prematurity under noninvasive respiratory support

Abstract

Objective To observe the curative effect and benefits of caffeine citrate and aminophylline in treatment of apnea of prematurity (AOP) under noninvasive respiratory support. Methods The clinical data of 68 premature infants hospitalized in NICU of our hospital during May 2014-June 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.The infants were divided into the caffeine citrate group and the aminophylline group according to different treatment methods, 34 cases in each group.After 1 week of monitoring, the clinical efficacy, leaving-hospital weight, medication time, hospitalization time, hospitalization costs, noninvasive ventilation time and other clinical indicators were compared between the two groups.The incidence rates of complications and adverse reactions were recorded. Results The total effective rate of treatment was significantly higher in caffeine citrate group than the aminophylline group (88.24% vs 64.71%) (χ2=4.005, P 0.05). The incidence rates of tachycardia, polyuria and hypokalemia were significantly lower in hypokalemia than aminophylline group (P<0.05). Conclusions The effect of caffeine citrate is better than aminophylline in the treatment of AOP.The former can shorten noninvasive assisted respiration time and hospitalization time, without increasing complications during the treatment, and adverse reactions are mild. Key words: Noninvasive respiratory support; Caffeine citrate; Aminophylline; Apnea of prematurity