Abstract
To test our impression that unacceptable central nervous system side effects of theophylline occur more frequently in very young asthmatics than in older ones, we reviewed the charts of 162 asthmatic patients under the age of 10 who had been seen in our office during a 3-year period. Patients were grouped by age, 1–4 years, 4–7 years, and 7–10 years; and for each patient the theophylline dose, therapeutic response, and side effects were recorded. Thirty-one percent (31%) of the youngest age group experienced significant adverse central nervous system reactions to low doses of sustained-release theophylline. Theophylline doses and blood levels were lower in patients with, than in patients without, such reactions. The incidence of adverse reactions in the two older age groups was 6% and 5%, respectively. Patients reacting adversely were successfully treated with other drugs, primarily inhaled or oral beta agonist. Possible mechanisms for the increased incidence of theophylline-induced central nervous system effects in young children are discussed. Further studies will be required to define the optimal therapy of asthma in the youngest age group.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.