The Journal of pediatrics
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The Journal of pediatrics · Dec 1981
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe efficacy of caffeine in the treatment of recurrent idiopathic apnea in premature infants.
This prospective controlled study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of caffeine in treating recurrent idiopathic apnea in the premature infant. Eighteen preterm infants (29 to 35 weeks' gestation) were studied. ⋯ No treatment of apnea other than caffeine was required in group I, whereas six neonates in group II had such severe and frequent apneic episodes for more than 48 hours that withholding additional treatment was believed to be unethical. No undesirable side effects of caffeine treatment were observed.