[Changes in plasma nonesterified fatty acids and blood glucose in the newborn infant in therapy with aminophylline].
We investigated the effect of intravenous infusions of aminophylline on plasma glucose and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels in 14 newborns with apnea (mean birthweight: 2.514 +/- 866 g; mean gestational age: 34.8 +/- 3.94 weeks). Theophylline apparent volume of distribution was 0.55 liters per Kilogram and the half-life was major than 12 hours. It was found that theophylline caused pronounced and prolonged lipid mobilization, as measured by the plasma NEFA. The ability of theophylline to induce a rapid rise in blood glucose was confirmed. Elevation in plasma NEFA might be an important factor in facilitating the competition with bilirubin for binding sites of albumin and the development of arrythmias in newborns with acute myocardial injury.