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[Effect of caffeine citrate on early pulmonary function in preterm infants with apnea]
Mei Yu1, Jin-Hua Huang, Rong Zhu
1Department of Pediatrics, Binhu Hospital of Southern District, First Hospital of Hefei City, Hefei 230061, China. wenxiaohong2007@163.com.
Insights
Caffeine citrate significantly improved pulmonary function and reduced apnea attacks in preterm infants compared to aminophylline. This treatment also shortened the need for oxygen and respiratory support.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Apnea is a common condition in preterm infants, potentially leading to respiratory distress.
- Early intervention is crucial for managing apnea and improving respiratory outcomes in neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of caffeine citrate versus aminophylline in enhancing early pulmonary function in preterm infants experiencing apnea.
- To compare the impact of caffeine citrate and aminophylline on apnea frequency and respiratory support duration.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 40 preterm infants with apnea, divided into two groups: aminophylline (20) and caffeine citrate (20).
- Both groups received their assigned treatment alongside non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) and assisted ventilation for apnea episodes.
- Pulmonary function tests were conducted post-treatment, and apnea frequency, oxygen use, and NCPAP support duration were compared.
Main Results:
- Caffeine citrate group demonstrated significantly improved tidal volume, minute ventilation, peak expiratory flow, and expiratory flow rates compared to the aminophylline group (P<0.05).
- The caffeine citrate group required significantly shorter durations of oxygen use and NCPAP support (P<0.01).
- A significant reduction in apnea attack frequency was observed in the caffeine citrate group compared to the aminophylline group (P<0.01).
Conclusions:
- Caffeine citrate is effective in improving early pulmonary function in preterm infants with apnea.
- Caffeine citrate treatment leads to a reduced incidence of apnea attacks and decreases the need for respiratory support.
Objective:
To investigate the effect of caffeine citrate treatment on early pulmonary function in preterm infants with apnea.
Methods:
Forty preterm infants with apnea were randomly divided into aminophylline treatment group (20 infants) and caffeine citrate treatment group (20 infants). When the preterm infants experienced apnea after birth, they were given aminophylline or caffeine citrate in addition to assisted ventilation with continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP). After drug discontinuation, pulmonary function was measured and compared between the two groups.
Results:
After treatment, compared with the aminophylline treatment group, the caffeine citrate treatment group had significantly higher tidal volume, minute ventilation volume, ratio of time to peak tidal expiratory flow to total expiratory time, ratio of volume to peak tidal expiratory flow to total expiratory volume, peak expiratory flow, and breathing flow at 75%, 50%, and 25% of tidal volume (P<0.05). The caffeine citrate treatment group had a significantly shorter time of oxygen use and NCPAP support than the aminophylline treatment group (P<0.01). Compared with the aminophylline treatment group, the caffeine citrate treatment group had a significantly lower frequency of apnea attacks (P<0.01).
Conclusions:
In the treatment of apnea in preterm infants, caffeine citrate can improve early pulmonary function and reduce the incidence of apnea.
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