Motnje dihanje so heterogena skupina bolezni, ki se v največji meri pojavljajo zaradi nezrelih mehanizmov kontrole dihanja, zaradi česar so pogostejše pri nedonošenih novorojenčkih. Motnje dihanja so obenem lahko del klinične slike številnih drugih bolezni neonatalnega obdobja, ob čemer je etiološka opredelitev včasih težavna. Dihalni premori zaradi nedonošenosti so večinoma mešane narave in vsebujejo tako centralno kot obstruktivno komponento. Farmakološko zdravljenje motenj dihanja temelji na uporabi zdravil iz skupine metilksantinov, med katerimi je najpomembnejši kofein. V prispevku opisujemo mehanizme njegovega delovanja, indikacije za pričetek zdravljenja, priporočeno uporabo odmerkov ter indikacije za varno ukinitev zdravljenja. V nadaljevanju naštejemo še nekatere druge oblike farmakološkega zdravljenja dihalnih premorov zaradi nedonošenosti.
Pharmacological Treatment of Breathing Disorders in Neonates
Breathing disorders are a heterogeneous group of diseases that mostly occurr due to immature breathing control mechanisms, which makes them more common in preterm neonates. Breathing disorders can also be part of the clinical presentation of many other neonatal diseases, making their etiological definition sometimes challenging. Apnoeas due to prematurity are mostly of mixed nature, involving both central and obstructive components. The pharmacological treatment of breathing disorders is based on the use of methylxanthine drugs, the most important of which is caffeine. In article we describe the mechanisms of its action, indications for treatment initiation, recommended dosages, and indications for safe treatment discontinuation. We also list some other forms of pharmacological treatment for apnoeas of prematurity.