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Caffeine is an effective treatment for apnea, the temporary cessation of breathing, in premature babies, says a new Australian study.
The two-year study by the University of Queensland effectively used caffeine in treating 40 premature babies with apnea instead of the drug aminophylline, which has side effects, such as nausea and heart damage.
“It is often difficult to stabilize the levels of aminophylline in premature babies,” says Bruce Charles, a lecturer.
“Caffeine, on the other hand, is eliminated from the body more slowly so it only has to be administered intravenously once a day or once every second day, therefore minimizing intervention,” he says.
