Caffeine in prematurers: unexpected hope against the sudden death of infants

The sudden death of the infant (MSN) remains one of the main causes of death in babies under a year. Moreover, Still largely unexplained, it often occurs during sleep, without a warning sign. Therefore, Faced with this persistent parental anxiety. For example, a double scientific advance today attracts attention: caffeine, already used in neonatalogy to treat the apnea of prematureates, could also reduce the risks of MSN.

Caffeine. Similarly, neonatal treatment with unexpected side effect – Caffeine prematurers: unexpected hope against

An observational study in Canada on more than 19,000 premature babies (born before 31 weeks) between 2010 and 2019 revealed that those who received caffeine caffeine prematurers: unexpected hope against from the first 48 hours of life presented almost half the risk of dying suddenly after leaving the hospital. The earlier the administration, the more effective the protection seems.

In parallel. an American review published in The Journal of Perinatology Explore a coherent biological hypothesis: caffeine, stimulating the respiratory system and reducing intermittent hypoxy episodes (periods of drop in oxygen in the blood), would strengthen the infant’s awakening capacity during his sleep. However, this ability to wake up in the event of respiratory difficulty is precisely deficient among babies victims of MSN.

Hypoxic intermittent: a central mechanism in the MSN – Caffeine prematurers: unexpected hope against

Researchers point out that many recognized risk factors (prematurity. maternal smoking, ventral position, respiratory infections) have one thing in common: They expose the infant to intermittent hypoxia. This partial oxygen deprivation could cause brain damage to the brainstem, the area that regulates breathing and awakening. If the child does caffeine prematurers: unexpected hope against not manage to selfore, the situation can quickly become fatal.

By limiting these episodes of hypoxia, caffeine could therefore play an indirect, but saving preventive role.

Hope for parents of premature

For families faced with a premature birth, these results bring a glimmer of hope. The anxiety of the MSN, which often occurs without a warning sign, weighs heavily in the first months of parenting. Be able to rely on a known treatment. already integrated into neonatal careand now associated with a reduction in post-hospitalization risk, constitutes a precious advance.

Caffeine is not a miracle medication, but an additional caffeine prematurers: unexpected hope against tool in the preventive arsenal. Administered early, it improves respiratory stability and seems to strengthen the organization’s resilience to critical episodes.

Limits, but an important step

The authors remain cautious: this is an observational study, and not a randomized clinical trial. In other words, scientists cannot yet say for certainty that caffeine is solely responsible for decreasing the risk of MSN. Other factors could come into play, including the quality of care or the general medical condition of the treated infants.

However, the observed link is robust enough to justify further research. And. from a practical point of view, it could already encourage neonatal units to administer caffeine earlier, in the first 48 hours of life.

To remember for parents

If your baby is born premature. know that caffeine is part current treatments used to protect its respiratory system. This new light shows that it could also play caffeine prematurers: unexpected hope against a preventive role against the sudden death of the infant.

However, we must not sink into Happy conclusions on caffeine consumption during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The effects differ depending on the context: medically administered, caffeine is carefully dosed. On the other hand. Excessive consumption on the part of the mother could expose the baby to sleep disorders or irritability, without proven benefit.

Caution remains in order, but one thing is clear: research on the MSN is advancing. And each advance, even modest, is a victory against this silent tragedy.