What is the Role of Caffeine in the Management of Preterm Infants?

Abstract

Purpose of review: To describe how clinical practice around caffeine therapy for apnea of prematurity has shifted in response to emerging data, with particular emphasis on changes in initiation timing, dosing strategies, and treatment duration.

Recent findings: Several new studies have begun to explore alternative approaches to caffeine therapy, including trials of caffeine initiation in the delivery room, increased loading and maintenance dosing, and extended use through later postmenstrual ages. Notably, the MOCHA and ICAF trials offer new insights into the potential risks and benefits of prolonging therapy beyond traditional discontinuation thresholds. These studies reflect growing interest in tailoring caffeine treatment to the evolving physiology of preterm infants, though long-term outcomes remain under investigation.

Summary: Clinical use of caffeine has evolved far beyond the original CAP protocol, driven by physiologic rationale and early trial signals, but often outpaces the strength of the evidence. Future multicenter, randomized trials are essential to confirm safety and efficacy of earlier initiation, higher dosing, and extended duration and to ensure that practice refinements translate into durable improvements in preterm infant outcomes worldwide.