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

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.