Effect of caffeine on superior mesenteric artery blood flow velocities in preterm neonates.

Objective: To investigate the effect of caffeine infusion on superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow velocities (BFV) in preterm infants.

Methods: Prospective observational study on 38 preterm neonates 28-33 weeks gestation, who developed apnea on their first day of life, and caffeine citrate infusion was initiated at a loading dose of 20 mg/kg, followed by a maintenance dose of 5-10 mg/kg/day. Duplex ultrasound measurements of SMA BFV were recorded: peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistive index (RI), at 15 min before, 1-, 2- and 6-h after caffeine loading dose, and 2 h after two maintenance doses.