Caffeine Therapy in the Management of Apnea of Prematurity in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Raparin Pediatrics Teaching Hospital and of Maternity and Obstetrics Teaching Hospital

Bekham Abuzaid Shekha Shekha; Zaher Taher Mosheer Gardi Gardi

Article Details

Caffeine Therapy in the Management of Apnea of Prematurity in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Raparin Pediatrics Teaching Hospital and of Maternity and Obstetrics Teaching Hospital

Authors:

Bekham Abuzaid Shekha Shekha | Zaher Taher Mosheer Gardi Gardi

Publisher:

Kurdistan Higher Council of Medical Specialties

Journal:

Advanced medical journal Vol.11 Issue 3, pp.21-29

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001931297

pISSN:

2958-8979

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Background and Objectives: Apnea of preterm refers to a cessation of respiration lasting over twenty seconds. We conducted research to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of caffeine therapy in preterm newborns and its clinical outcomes. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at Neonatal intensive care unit of Raparin Pediatric Teaching Hospital and maternity/obstetric teaching hospital from February to July 2023. The study included sixty premature newborns who diagnosed with apnea. A questionnaire was designed to capture the sociodemographic characteristics of the sample. Gestational age, birth weight, place of delivery, early caffeine use (initiation within two days of life), and late caffeine use (initiation after three days of life) were investigated. Results: The incidence of apnea varied with gestational age. The rate was 26.7% in ≤ 29 weeks. 15% in 30-31 weeks, 36.7% in 32-33 weeks, and 21.7% in 34-35 weeks. In the study sample, 60% received early caffeine therapy, and 40% received late therapy. According to survival function analysis, the early group performed better than the later one. The p-value was statistically significant (<0.001). The difference in gestational age between dead and alive premature infants on multivariate analysis showed a statistically significant difference (Wilks' Lambda test), and p-value was significant (0.044). Conclusion: Early caffeine therapy significantly reduced the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage, Patent ductus arteriosus, Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and respiratory distress syndrome. Mortality rates were lower in the early caffeine group compared to the late group.

Article Details

Caffeine Therapy in the Management of Apnea of Prematurity in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Raparin Pediatrics Teaching Hospital and of Maternity and Obstetrics Teaching Hospital

Authors:

Bekham Abuzaid Shekha Shekha | Zaher Taher Mosheer Gardi Gardi

Publisher:

Kurdistan Higher Council of Medical Specialties

Journal:

Advanced medical journal Vol.11 Issue 3, pp.21-29

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001931297

pISSN:

2958-8979

Apnea of prematurity

Caffeine

Neonatal intensive care unit

Outcome

Issues

Article Details

Caffeine Therapy in the Management of Apnea of Prematurity in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Raparin Pediatrics Teaching Hospital and of Maternity and Obstetrics Teaching Hospital

Authors: Bekham Abuzaid Shekha Shekha | Zaher Taher Mosheer Gardi Gardi

Publisher: Kurdistan Higher Council of Medical Specialties

Journal: Advanced medical journal Vol.11 Issue 3, pp.21-29

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 4/2026

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001931297

pISSN: 2958-8979

Apnea of prematurity

Caffeine

Neonatal intensive care unit

Outcome

Issues

Authors:

Bekham Abuzaid Shekha Shekha | Zaher Taher Mosheer Gardi Gardi

Publisher:

Kurdistan Higher Council of Medical Specialties

Journal:

Advanced medical journal Vol.11 Issue 3, pp.21-29

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001931297

pISSN:

2958-8979