Effect of asphyxia on theophylline clearance in newborns.

The effect of asphyxia on theophylline clearance was studied in 30 newborns who were matched for gestational age, postnatal age, and the presence or absence of asphyxia. Asphyxiated newborns cleared theophylline at approximately half the rate of nonasphyxiated newborns. We found that, in order to achieve a steady-state plasma concentration of 8 mg/L of theophylline, asphyxiated neonates should receive 2.1 mg/kg/day, while nonasphyxiated neonates should receive 3.9 mg/kg/day.