Theophylline BehlviourIl changes in children: incidence study

Following a 2-week baseline period. 20 children aged 6-12 (mean 9.8) years With mild asthma randomly received 4 weeks' treatment with controlled-release oral theophylline to achieve serum levels of 10-20 I'g/ml (n = 10) or placebo (n = 10) in double­blind fashion.

Compared with baseline. the mean behavioural assessment score (total worst possible score = 159) worsened after theophylline treatment (from 14.0 to 193). and Improved after placebo treatment (from 9.0 to 5.5). The mean post- minus pretreatment score was significantly different In the theophylline (53) compared With the placebo (-3.5) recIpients. Teachers identified 7 theophylline recipients correctly and all had significant changes In behaviour attention. while no placebo recipients were identified as theophylline-treated patients and none showed significant behaviour­attention changes No significant between-group differences were seen with respect to parent-assessed associated behaviour or actlvlty­attention problem scores made at baseline and after 2 and 4 weeks' treatment. or in psychologiC evaluation at baseline and at the end of treatment.

Thus. teachers could ' ... easily discriminate betw"" children on theophylline and those on placebo, while parent .ssessments and psychologic @lfaiuafions could not. Rachelelsky GS. Wo J. Adelson J. MIckey MR. Spector SL. et al PedIatrics 78 1133·1138.6 Dec 1986

0' 56·2703/87/0228-0011/0$01.00/0 e ADiS Preu RNc:tion •• 28 Feb 1987 11