Objective: To make a comparison between the efficacy and safety of Caffeine and Aminophylline for Apnea of prematurity at standard doses. Methodology: The participants (neonates) were allocated randomly into 2 groups. Caffeine was given in loading dose of caffeine citrate (20 mg/kg) followed by 5 mg/kg/day maintenance dose every 24 hour to one group. The Aminopylline group was given (loading dose 5mg/kg and maintenance dose of 1.5 mg/kg) every 8 hour. The assesment for variations in the episodes of apnea, corresponding respiratory disorders, along with acute detrimental effects was done. The therapeutic drug levels related to the efficacy were also determined. Results: The mean apnea events/day in neonates administrated by caffeine was 0.8±0.3, 1.9±0.18, 1.4±1.8, 0.9±0.11 and 0.98±0.15 for 0, 1-3, 4-7, 8-14 and 15-21 days respectively. While, The mean apnea events/day in neonates administrated by Aminophylline was 0.6±0.4, 0.4±0.24, 0.3±1.6, 0.8±0.14 and 0.69±0.15 for 0, 1-3, 4-7, 8-14 and 15-21 days respectively. The difference was statistically significant for one to three days (p=0.000) and four to seven days (p=0.000), 15-21 days (p=0.004) While the difference was statistically insignificant at 0 day (p=0.845), 8-14 days (p=0.741). Conclusion: Results of our study revealed that caffeine is more effective than Aminophylline in treatment of apnea of prematurity.
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