1362 EFFECT OF CAFFEINE, THEOPHYLLINE, AND PHENOBARBITAL ON OCULAR BLOOD FLOW IN THE NEWBORN PIGLET

Abstract

The effect of commonly used drugs in the newborn (NB) period on ocular blood flow (OBF) was evaluated in 6 groups of piglets (1-4 do). Caffeine (C) and theophylline (T) were administered at 5 and 20 mg/kg IV bolus (N= 7/grp). Phenobarbital (P) (15 and 45 mg/kg IV bolus) were administered to 2 groups of piglets (Nz9/grp). Control groups were obtained for each drug evaluated. OBF was measured by radiolabelled microsphere (¹⁴¹Ce ⁴⁶Sc ⁸⁵Sr ⁹⁵Nb); arterial and venous blood gases, hemoglobin, and drug levels were done at time$ 0, 15, 30, and 60 minutes.

Therapeutic doses of C produced fluctuations in OBF, an effect not observed in hypercaffeinema. Similarly both doses of T produced fluctuations in OBF. P decreased OBF transiently. A control group of animals did not show any changes in OBF. Blood pressure and blood gases remained constant, with no correlation to OBF. These suggest that C, T, and P probably exert direct pharmacologic effects on OBF. Their possible role on retinopathy of prematurity needs further studies.

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