SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2004
Carnitine supplementation for preterm infants with recurrent apnea.
Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2004. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 10 citations in OpenAlex.
- Carnitine supplementation for preterm infants with recurrent apnea.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2004Pooled it
- L-carnitine: new perspectives on the management of preterm infants.Frontiers in nutrition · 2025Review
- Apnea in the newborn.Indian journal of pediatrics · 2008Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundApnea of prematurity is a common problem in preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care setting (NICU), often delaying their discharge home or transfer to a step down unit. Premature infants are at increased risk of carnitine deficiency. Carnitine supplementation has been used for both prevention and treatment of apnea.
objectivesTo determine whether treatment with carnitine will reduce the frequency of apnea, the duration of ventilation and the duration of hospital stay in preterm infants with recurrent apnea. SEARCH STRATEGY: Computerised searches were carried out by two reviewers independently. Searches were made of MEDLINE (1966 to May 2004), EMBASE (1980 to May 2004), CINAHL (1982-2004 June 2004,1st week), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2004), abstracts of annual meetings of the Society for Pediatric Research (1995-2004), and contacts were made with the subject experts. SELECTION CRITERIA: Only randomized or quasi-randomized treatment trials of preterm infants with a diagnosis of recurrent apnea of prematurity were considered. Trials were included if they involved treatment with carnitine compared to placebo or no treatment, and measured at least one of the following outcomes: failure of resolution of apneas, the duration of ventilation and the duration of hospital stay. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers evaluated the papers for inclusion criteria and quality. Corresponding authors were contacted for further information where needed. MAIN
resultsNo eligible trials were identified. REVIEWERS'
conclusionsDespite the plausible rationale for the treatment of apnea of prematurity with carnitine, there are insufficient data to support its use for this indication. Further studies are needed to determine the role of this treatment in clinical practice.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.