Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
In Vivo Real-Time Study of Drug Effects on Carotid Blood Flow in the Ovine Fetus
Published on: April 28, 2023
Effect of caffeine on superior mesenteric artery blood flow velocities in preterm neonates
Mohamed A Abdel Wahed1, Hanan M Issa2, Soha M Khafagy1
1a Department of Pediatrics , Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University , Cairo , Egypt.
Objective:
To investigate the effect of caffeine infusion on superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow velocities (BFV) in preterm infants.
Methods:
Prospective observational study on 38 preterm neonates 28-33+6 weeks gestation, who developed apnea on their first day of life, and caffeine citrate infusion was initiated at a loading dose of 20 mg/kg, followed by a maintenance dose of 5-10 mg/kg/day. Duplex ultrasound measurements of SMA BFV were recorded: peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistive index (RI), at 15 min before, 1-, 2- and 6-h after caffeine loading dose, and 2 h after two maintenance doses.
Results:
There was a significant reduction in PSV 1-h (p = .008), a significant decrease in EDV 1- and 2-h (p = .000 and p = .005, respectively) and a significant increase in RI 1- and 2-h (p = .003 and p = .005, respectively) following caffeine loading dose, as compared to values before caffeine infusion. No significant effect of caffeine maintenance doses on SMA BFV was observed (p > .05).
Conclusion:
Blood flow in SMA is significantly reduced after caffeine citrate infusion at a loading dose of 20 mg/kg. This effect continues for at least 2 h. Meanwhile, SMA BFV seems not affected by maintenance doses.
