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Assessment of Gastric Emptying in Non-obese Diabetic Mice Using a [13C]-octanoic Acid Breath Test
Published on: March 23, 2013
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Caffeine and Gastric Emptying Time in Very Preterm Neonates.
Antonios K Gounaris1, Ioanna N Grivea1, Maria Baltogianni2
1Neonatal Clinic-NICU, University General Hospital, 41222 Larissa, Greece.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|June 5, 2020
Summary
Caffeine use in premature infants significantly delays gastric emptying and increases gastrointestinal complications. This finding highlights potential risks associated with caffeine treatment in neonates, particularly those with higher birth weight and gestational age.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Caffeine is widely used for apnea in premature infants.
- Potential side effects of caffeine on neonates require thorough investigation.
- Gastric motility in very-preterm (VP) neonates is a key area of concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of caffeine on gastric motility in very-preterm neonates.
- To assess changes in gastric emptying time and gastrointestinal complications.
Main Methods:
- Randomized crossover clinical trial involving 22 very-preterm neonates.
- Gastric emptying time assessed via ultrasound measurement of antral cross-sectional area (ACSA).
- Neonates received either caffeine or placebo in a sequential, randomized manner.
Main Results:
- Caffeine administration significantly delayed gastric emptying time in neonates (p = 0.040).
- Delayed gastric emptying was more pronounced in neonates with birth weight 1000-1500g and gestational age ≥ 28 weeks (p < 0.002).
- Higher incidence of gastrointestinal complications observed in neonates receiving caffeine (27.3%) compared to controls (4.6%) (p = 0.039).
Conclusions:
- Caffeine treatment significantly delays gastric emptying in very-preterm neonates.
- The delay is particularly notable in neonates with higher birth weight and gestational age.
- Further research with larger cohorts is recommended to confirm these findings.
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