Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
05:39
A Neonatal BALB/c Mouse Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Published on: November 30, 2021
Association between caffeine citrate exposure and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants
Stacie J Lampkin1, Ann Marie Turner, Satyan Lakshminrusimha
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, D’Youville College, 320 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201, USA. lampkins@dyc.edu
Summary
Caffeine citrate therapy did not significantly increase necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) risk in newborns. While cumulative exposure varied slightly before NEC onset, overall treatment and serum levels showed no significant differences between affected and unaffected infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious gastrointestinal condition in premature infants.
- Caffeine citrate is commonly used in neonatal intensive care units for apnea of prematurity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between caffeine citrate therapy and the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in newborns.
- To compare caffeine citrate exposure in infants with NEC to those without.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted reviewing 10 years of patient records.
- Ninety-five NEC cases were matched with controls based on gestational age and birth weight.
- Data included demographics, caffeine citrate use, and confounding factors.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in average caffeine citrate loading doses or trough serum concentrations were found between NEC cases and controls.
- Cumulative caffeine citrate exposure showed no significant difference overall, except for a significant difference at four days prior to NEC diagnosis.
- Proportions of infants receiving caffeine citrate did not differ significantly between groups.
Conclusions:
- Caffeine citrate therapy does not appear to be a significant risk factor for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
- The observed significant difference in cumulative exposure at one specific time point warrants further investigation but does not indicate a strong overall association.
- Findings suggest that current caffeine citrate treatment protocols are unlikely to increase NEC risk in neonates.
