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Chronic lung diseases reduce the ability of the lungs to function. They can cause sleep disturbances, such as periods of wakefulness and apnea (cessation of breathing), and they can reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood (SaO2). It has been reported that theophylline can reduce the incidence of sleep apnea and protect against decreases in SaO2 in children with asthma. Therefore, a study was performed to determine if theophylline can improve lung function and the quality of sleep, and protect against nocturnal decreases in SaO2 in 12 children with cystic fibrosis (CF, an inherited disease that causes the lungs to become clogged with thick mucus). During the first 10 days of the study, half the children were treated with theophylline and half were treated with placebo. During the second 10 days of the study the treatment groups were reversed. During the ninth and tenth nights of each study period the children slept in a sleep laboratory where sleep, SaO2 and heart rate were monitored. Treatment with theophylline reduced the total amount of time spent sleeping and the efficiency of sleep, and had no effect on apnea, body movements during sleep and lung function. In 5 of the 12 children the amount of theophylline in the blood reached therapeutic levels. These children had a higher average SaO2 and lower heart rate than the other children. The results indicate that theophylline may protect against decreases in SaO2 in children with CF, but it increases wakefulness and reduces the efficiency of sleep. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)