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Effects of caffeine on diaphragmatic activity in preterm infants

Carlo Dani1,2, Monica Fusco1,3, Sara Manti3

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Careggi University Hospital of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|May 5, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Caffeine administration significantly enhances diaphragm function in preterm infants, improving thickness, excursion amplitude, and contraction velocity. This supports its role in treating apnea of prematurity and reducing respiratory support failure.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Respiratory Physiology
  • Diagnostic Ultrasound

Background:

  • Caffeine is a primary treatment for apnea of prematurity (AOP) in preterm infants.
  • Previous reports suggest caffeine improves diaphragm activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate caffeine-induced changes in diaphragm contractility and motility using ultrasound.
  • To assess the impact of caffeine on diaphragm function in preterm infants with AOP.

Main Methods:

  • Ultrasound assessment of diaphragmatic excursion and thickness.
  • 26 preterm infants (gestational age ≤34 weeks) treated with caffeine for AOP were studied.
  • Measurements were taken before and after caffeine loading or maintenance doses.

Main Results:

  • Caffeine administration led to increased diaphragmatic excursion (DE).
  • Diaphragm thickness (DT-in, DT-ex) and peak contraction velocity improved post-caffeine.
  • Both loading and maintenance doses showed positive effects on diaphragm function.

Conclusions:

  • Ultrasound confirms caffeine enhances diaphragm thickness, excursion amplitude, and contraction velocity in preterm infants.
  • These findings support caffeine's efficacy in managing AOP.
  • Caffeine may decrease the risk of noninvasive respiratory support failure in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
Abstract

Keywords:
caffeinediaphragmechographypoint-of-carepreterm infantultrasound

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