Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Caffeine is a risk factor for osteopenia of prematurity in preterm infants: a cohort study
Ebtihal Ali1,2, Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg3,4, Michael Moffatt5,3,4
1Community Health Sciences Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, MS361K, 820 Sherbrook St, Winnipeg, MB, R3A 1R9, Canada. eali@hsc.mb.ca.
Background:
Caffeine, the most commonly used medication in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, has calciuric and osteoclastogenic effects.
Methods:
To examine the association between the cumulative dose and duration of therapy of caffeine and osteopenia of prematurity, a retrospective cohort study was conducted including premature infants less than 31 weeks and birth weight less than 1500 g. Osteopenia of prematurity was evaluated using chest X-rays on a biweekly basis over 12 weeks of hospitalization.
Results:
The cohort included 109 infants. 51% had osteopenia of prematurity and 8% had spontaneous rib fractures. Using the generalized linear mixed model, caffeine dose and duration of caffeine therapy showed a strong association with osteopenia of prematurity. Steroids and vitamin D were also significantly correlated with osteopenia of prematurity while diuretic use did not show a statistically significant effect.
Conclusion:
The cumulative dose and duration of therapy of caffeine, as well as steroid are associated with osteopenia of prematurity in this cohort. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine the lowest dose of caffeine needed to treat effectively apnea of prematurity.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
Drug Toxicity: Risk factors
Relative Risk
Transcription Factors
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Factors Affecting Solubility

