Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Caffeine and Aminophylline in Apnea of Prematurity

Background: Apnea of prematurity usually occurs in neonates having gestational age of less than 36 weeks. Caffeine and aminophylline both drugs are available as a treatment option for apnea of prematurity. Objective: Our objective is to compare the efficacy and safety of standard recommended doses of caffeine and aminophylline in the treatment of apnea of prematurity. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Settings: Department of Paediatrics, Central Park Teaching Hospital, Lahore Pakistan. Duration: 12 months from May 5th, 2022 to May 4th, 2023. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the NICU Department of Central Park Teaching Hospital, Lahore which included 160 preterm neonates and efficacy and adverse effects of both drugs were compared. Results: There was a significant difference in the means of the rate of apnea of both the groups over the span of 7 days with caffeine being more effective. There was a decrease in duration of hospital stay and duration of oxygen inhalation along with reduced patients with tachycardia and tachypnea in caffeine group with significant p- value. Caffeine proved to be safer in terms of lesser side effects as compared to aminophylline. Conclusion: This study concludes that caffeine has a greater efficacy and a better safety in comparison with aminophylline, while treating apnea of prematurity.