Placental theophylline transfer in pregnant asthmatics
E. Labovitz and S. Spector
The newborn's potential for xanthine toxic reactions from placental
transfer of theophylline or caffeine conversion from theophylline was
studied in 12 newborns of asthmatic mothers. Our results showed that
maternal and cord theophylline levels were not notably different, yet
heelstick levels tended to be higher than maternal levels. Newborn
heelstick theophylline levels ranged from 2.3 to 19.6 microgram/mL with a
mean of 10.5 microgram/mL. No caffeine conversion from theophylline was
seen. Heart rate, Apgar scoring, and other parameters were not
statistically different in babies whose mothers received theophylline
compared with mildly asthmatic mothers not receiving theophylline and
nonasthmatic mothers. Side effects in three babies with levels of
theophylline greater than 10 microgram/mL were tachycardia and transient
jitteriness. Newborns seem to tolerate theophylline levels corresponding to
maternal levels without serious adversity; however, transient toxicity
might occur with levels in the so-called therapeutic range.