| Abstract: | The present study reviews 62 children who where admitted to the department of pediatrics for acute bronchiolitis. We adopted the following therapeutic protocol: treatments were applied randomly and we administered a fast action theophylline solution (Theophylline Bruneau R) or a placebo solution every six hours by oral route or stomach probe at 10 mg/kg between 2 and 6 months, 12 mg/kg between 6 and 12 months and 16 mg/kg between 12 and 24 months. Evaluations of theophylline levels were systematically carried out (immunoenzymatic method) for every infant on day 1, day 3, and day 4 two hours after morning administration and the results studied to see if any changes were necessary. This treatment was well tolerated. Statistical analysis was performed before removal of blind. The homogeneity of the two groups was respected if we considered ages (placebo group: 7.1 months +/- 1.0, theophylline group: 5.6 months +/- 0.6), the initial seriousness as evidenced by hypoxemia (placebo group 61 +/- 2 Torr, theophylline group: 58 +/- 3 Torr) hypercapnia (placebo group: 37.8 +/- 1.0, theophylline group: 35.5 +/- 2) and chest retractions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) |
