Exposure to Morphine and Caffeine Induces Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in a Neonatal Rat Brain.

Preterm infants experience rapid brain growth during early post-natal life making them vulnerable to drugs acting on central nervous system. Morphine is administered to premature neonates for pain control and caffeine for apnea of prematurity. Simultaneous use of morphine and caffeine is common in the neonatal intensive care unit.