EFFECTS OF THEOPHYLLINE ON BEHAVIORAL STATE DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEWBORN RABBIT

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 221  (3) , 604-608
Abstract
On day 1 of life (day 0 = birth), the sleep-wake behavioral states of rabbits were measured for 2 h, after which half the animals received 10 mg/kg of theophylline [used for the treatment of apnea in premature infants] by intubation (n = 16), whereas the remainder received normal saline (n = 17). Behavioral states were then measured on days 2, 3, 5, 7, 15, 20, 30 and 40. Theophylline sharply reduced active sleep starting on day 2 and continuing through day 20. The development of quiet sleep was delayed for 10 days in the drug-treated group. Paralleling the loss of active sleep was a major increase in wake between days 2-20. The drug also affected the intermediate states of sleep-wake transition and active-quiet sleep transition. The data raise major questions about the safety of a drug widely used in the newborn intensive care setting.