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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 May;42(5):631-635.
doi: 10.1038/s41372-022-01333-5. Epub 2022 Feb 10.

Five-year outcomes of premature infants randomized to high or standard loading dose caffeine

Christopher McPherson  1   2 , Rachel E Lean  3 , Peppar E P Cyr  4 , Terrie E Inder  5 , Cynthia E Rogers  6   3 , Christopher D Smyser  6   4   7
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Five-year outcomes of premature infants randomized to high or standard loading dose caffeine

Christopher McPherson et al. J Perinatol. 2022 May.

Abstract

Objective: To examine 5-year outcomes in children enrolled in a pilot randomized controlled trial of a high loading dose of caffeine after preterm birth.

Study design: Seventy-four very low birth weight neonates were randomized within the first 24 h of life to receive a high (80 mg/kg) or standard (20 mg/kg) loading dose of caffeine citrate. At 5 years of age, we conducted standardized neurodevelopmental tests and collected parent reports of child socioemotional problems.

Result: Seventy-four percent of survivors returned for follow up. Children obtained similar scores on neurodevelopmental and socioemotional evaluations. There was no difference in the incidence of any neurodevelopmental delay after controlling for confounding factors.

Conclusion: Five-year follow up of a pilot trial of high loading dose caffeine citrate documented no profound impacts on childhood neurodevelopment or socioemotional outcome.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing financial interests in relation to the work described.

References

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