1 Division of Allergy, Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98105
Since 1937, when intravenous administration of theophylline-ethylenediamine (aminophylline) was shown to be effective in treating status asthmaticus, theophylline preparations have been employed extensively in the therapy of asthma. Reports of severe toxicity and deaths from aminophylline in children, have made the proper use of such drugs in childhood asthma a matter of concern to pediatricians. Accordingly, questionnaires about the use of aminophylline in asthmatic children were sent to 15 members of the Section on Allergy of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the majority of whom head Pediatric Allergy Fellowship Programs. The replies received from 14 are summarized here.