The effects of caffeine exposure on postnatal growth in moderately preterm infants

Abstract Objective: To determine whether caffeine independently influenced linear growth during NICU hospitalization in moderately preterm infants. Study Design: We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study. Our primary outcome was the change in length z-score from birth to discharge or 37 weeks’ corrected gestational age (CGA). Secondary outcomes included change in weight and head circumference z-scores. Multiple regression analysis controlling for an a priori list of covariates was performed to evaluate the association between caffeine dose and the growth outcomes. Results: In 308 infants 29-33 weeks' gestational age, greater cumulative caffeine dose was significantly associated with a progressive decline in length (p=0.04), weight (p=0.03), and head circumference z-scores, (p<0.05). Conclusion(s): Caffeine exposure in moderately preterm infants has an independent dose-dependent inverse relationship with linear growth, weight gain, and head growth.