Duration of Caffeine for Apnea of Prematurity—A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives There is sufficient evidence to support use of caffeine therapy for apnea of prematurity, but practices vary widely when it comes to discontinuing therapy. This study was planned to compare ‘recurrence of apnea of prematurity’ (RAP); when 2 protocols were used to stop caffeine therapy. Methods Neonates delivered at 26–32 wk gestation on caffeine therapy for apnea of prematurity were randomized into 2 groups: Group 1—caffeine stopped at 7 d apnea-free period, and Group 2—continued for a prefixed period till at least 34 wk postmenstrual age (PMA). Proportion of infants in each group with RAP were analyzed. Results Each group consisted of 60 infants. Proportion of infants in each group with RAP, were not different (15% vs 13%); odds ratio (OR) 0.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.31–2.43). Caffeine could be stopped earlier (33 vs 34 wk PMA); and cumulative duration of therapy was lesser (19.5 vs 33 d) when stopped at 7 d apnea-free period. Other studied outcomes were similar between the two groups. Conclusions Mandatorily continuing caffeine therapy up to 34 wk PMA in select preterm groups does not seem to decrease risk of recurrence of apnea. Larger trials that specifically study extremely preterm infants are required to make robust recommendations on when to stop therapy. Clinical Trials Registry of India no CTRI/2016/12/007559. http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pdf_generate.php?trialid=14195&EncHid=&modid=&compid=%27,%2714195det%27