Grant: Operating Grant

At least 5 of every 1000 live-born babies are very preterm and weigh only 500 to 1250 grams at birth. Approximately 50% of the surviving children have serious school difficulties and require special educational assistance. The aim of this research is to reduce this heavy burden of illness. A multi-centre controlled trial is underway in which over 2000 very low birth weight infants have been enrolled. Our goal for this application is to determine if caffeine therapy for apnea of prematurity affects educational and motor skills and increases behavior problems at middle school age. Caffeine is one of the most commonly used drugs in preterm infants. Caffeine is prescribed to treat periodic breathing and breath-holding spells, but evidence for long-term drug efficacy and safety has been lacking. Laboratory research suggests that caffeine may have toxic effects on the immature brain. This large and long-term trial has been designed to clarify whether caffeine therapy is safe in very preterm infants.