Survival without disability to age 5 years after neonatal caffeine therapy for apnea of prematurity

Abstract

Apnea of prematurity is associated with increased risk of death or disability in very preterm infants. An International randomized placebo-controlled study, the Caffeine for Apnea of Prematurity trial, demonstrated that neonatal caffeine therapy reduced rates of neonatal morbidities, including cerebral palsy and cognitive delay, and improved survival in infants at 18 to 21 months of age. It is unclear whether the beneficial effects of caffeine are maintained in older infants. Further, there is also concern that neonatal caffeine exposure may cause long-term harm. This 5-year follow-up study of Caffeine for Apnea of Prematurity was designed to determine the possible lasting benefits of caffei..