SynthesisItalian journal of pediatrics2026
Strategies for caffeine administration in preterm infants: route, dosing, monitoring, and adjunctive interventions - a systematic review.
Synthesis in Italian journal of pediatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
introductionCaffeine is widely used in preterm infants, yet the optimal administration strategy remains unclear. This systematic review aims to evaluate different caffeine administration approaches, including route, frequency, dose modifications, and co-administration with surfactant in preterm infants.
methodsWe searched three databases and two trial registries up to October 2024. Data collection and analysis followed Cochrane methodology; certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE; and reporting followed PRISMA.
resultsThree RCTs were identified, two provided data for analyses: one study (38 infants) on route of administration (intravenous versus oral caffeine) and one study (40 infants) on frequency of administration (once versus twice daily). The evidence is very uncertain about the effects of intravenous versus oral administration on: mortality (RR 0.14, 95% CI 0.01-2.59); mechanical ventilation duration (MD 1.00, 95% CI -8.05 to 10.05); hospital stay (MD 8.00, 95%CI -5.35-21.35); severe intraventricular hemorrhage (RR 1.00, 95%CI 0.29-3.43); and chronic lung disease (RR 5.00, 95%CI 0.26-97.70). The evidence is very uncertain about the effects of twice-daily versus once-daily caffeine on: mortality (RR 1.00, 95%CI 0.29-3.45); ventilation duration (MD 0.81, 95%CI -7.56-9.18); and hospital stay (MD -2.70, 95%CI -8.12-2.72). We found no studies on caffeine dose modifications and co-administration with surfactant. Two trials on adjusting caffeine dose and route of administration are ongoing.
conclusionAlthough caffeine clearly benefits preterm infants, evidence guiding optimal administration strategies, such as route, frequency, and dose modifications, is limited. High-quality studies are urgently needed to inform clinical practice and guidelines.
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