[Caffeine citrate utilization for treatment of apnea in French neonatal units].

UNLABELLED

Caffeine citrate is commonly used for prophylaxis and treatment of apnea in preterm babies.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of caffeine citrate in french neonatal units.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Postal survey in 100 neonatal units.

RESULTS

Answers were obtained from 81 units. Sixty-three units use systematic prophylactic treatment and the threshold of gestationnal age (weeks gestation) for this systematic treatment is 32 weeks. Caffeine citrate is administered as a loading dose of 20 mg/kg followed by a maintenance dose of 5 mg/kg in 95% of the units. Discontinuing the treatment occurs between 33 and 35 weeks in 37% of the units and between 35 and 37 weeks in 53%. Two third of neonatologits describe recurrent apnea beyond 37 weeks, with the need to continue treatment. Fourteen units sometimes discharge babies at home with ambulatory caffeine citrate treatment and discontinue treatment by 42 to 46 weeks'gestation. A mean duration of 5 days without apnea is required before discharge.

CONCLUSION

French teams respect "recommendations" concerning doses and duration without apnea before discharge. Indication of treatment, threshold for systematic treatment, duration of treatment and ambulatory treatment differ among teams.