CAP Caffeine Trial

About the Trial

The Caffeine for Apnea of Prematurity trial randomized 2,006 very low birth weight infants to caffeine citrate or placebo. Caffeine reduced the composite of death, cerebral palsy, cognitive delay, deafness, or blindness at 18 to 21 months from 46 to 40 percent, and cut bronchopulmonary dysplasia and patent ductus arteriosus. A cheap, decades old molecule improved brain and lung outcomes in the tiniest babies. Eleven year follow up found less motor impairment in the caffeine group. Caffeine became standard neonatal care worldwide and demonstrated that rigorous randomized evidence is possible and essential even in fragile newborn populations.