The use of theophylline clearance in pediatric status asthmaticus. II. The choice of appropriate dose for the intravenous theophylline infusion.

We developed an individualized approach for determining the intravenous rate of theophylline infusion for the treatment of status asthmaticus in children. The method is based on the individual's theophylline clearance rate as determined at previous admissions. We compared the method with two standard recommended approaches used currently in clinical pediatrics--the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Food and Drug Administration guidelines.