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Apnoea of prematurity is treated with noninvasive respiratory therapy and methylxanthines. For therapy unresponsive apnoea doxapram is often prescibed in preterm neonates. The duration, dosage and route of administration of doxapram together with its efficacy was evaluated in two Dutch neonatal intensive care. Outcome concerning short-term safety and neonatal morbidity were evaluated. During 5 years, 122 of 1,501 admitted newborns <32 weeks of gestational age received doxapram. 64.8% of patients did not need intubation after doxapram. 25% of treated neonates were <27 weeks of gestation. A positive response to doxapram therapy on apnoeawas associatedwith longer durationof doxapramusage (P < 0.001), lowermean doses (P < 0.003), and less days of intensive care (median 33 versus 42 days; P < 0.002). No patients died during doxapram therapy. Incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, retinopathy of prematurity, persistent ductus arteriosus, or worsening of pulmonary condition did not increase during doxapramtherapy. Doxapramis frequently used for apnoea of prematurity, despite a lack of data on short-term efficacy and long-term safety. Until efficacy and safety are confirmed in prospective trials, doxapram should be used with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on a study which described insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents. Information on childhood and adolescent obesity is offered. Findings showed that 9.4% of boys and 5.5% of girls have impaired glucose tolerance, while impaired fasting glucose was evident in 12.4% of the boys and 11.6% of the girls. It concludes that both impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance along with the metabolic syndrome are highly found among obese children and adolescents.