Caffeine Aids Preterm Babies

Posted by Brenda Lane Jan 25, 2008

The New England Journal of Medicine has published interesting findings about the effect of caffeine on very low birthweight preterm infants.

Over 2006 infants of 500 to 1250 gm in birthweight were randomly assigned of either caffeine therapy or a placebo for apnea associated with prematurity.

Results indicated that the caffeine therapy increased the likelihood of survival (46% versus 40%), reduced the incidence of cerebral palsy (4% versus 7%) as well as cognitive delays (33% versus 38%) when comparing the groups treated with caffeine therapy to those receiving a placebo.

Researchers have concluded that, "caffeine therapy for apnea of prematurity improvesthe rate of survival without neurodevelopmental disability at18 to 21 months in infants with very low birth weight."

This is great news for parents with very low birth weight babies. If you currently have a preterm infant or have a history of preterm labor, be sure to talk to your baby's care providers about this new treatment option.

Brenda