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Joshua P. Needleman, MD; Marie C. Kaifer, MD; Jeffery T. Nold, DO; Paul E. Shuster, MD; Mark M. Redding, MD; Jack Gladstein, MD

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1995;149(2):206-209.

Abstract
Objective
To determine if the use of intravenous theophylline, in the form of aminophylline, when added to systemic corticosteroids and aerosolized β₂-agonists, enhances the improvement of children with acute asthma exacerbations.

Design
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial.

Setting
The University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, an urban primary- and tertiary-care pediatric medical center.

Patients
Forty-two children, aged 2 to 18 years, admitted to the hospital for acute exacerbations of asthma.

Methods
Patients were randomized to receive either intravenous theophylline to maintain a serum level greater than 55 µmol/L or a placebo infusion. All patients received methylprednisolone and nebulized albuterol. A clinical severity score was assessed twice daily.

Results
The mean length of stay for the treatment and control groups was 52.3±32.3 hours and 48.2±26.6 hours, respectively (t=0.45, P=.65). The rate of improvement of clinical scores was similar.

Conclusion
These data suggest that the addition of theophylline to albuterol and corticosteroids does not enhance improvement of children admitted to the hospital with asthma.

(Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1995;149:206-209)

Author Affiliations
From the Departments of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.

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