Sleep Apnea in a Premature Baby: Caffeine Based Therapy

Sleep apnea is described as a condition in which breathing ceases to occur, momentariliy, while sleeping.   For children born prematurely, sleep apnea can become a significant health complication and is one of many concerns for children in a neonatal intensive care unit.   For these children, born prematurely between 28 and 33 weeks of gestation, sleep apnea can be alleviated through the use of the FDA approved drug, Cafcit.  As parents of the premature newborn, understanding the use of Cafcit, in newborn sleep apnea treatment, the side effects and contraindication, will assist in a better understanding of the care provided by health care professionals.

Cafcit, in the treatment of premature newborn sleep apnea, is an FDA approved drug which lends its effectiveness to the use of caffeine and the central nervous system response in the body.   In fact, studies have shown the use of Cafcit, in the treatment of sleep apnea in newborn children, shows significant sleep apnea improvement by the second day of administration.   Because Cafcit is a caffeine based treatment, the administration of Cafcit will produce a central nervous system response thereby decreasing the cessation of breathing during periods of rest.