title: Does caffeine affect cerebral blood flow in the preterm infant?
abstract: Caffeine, used for treatment of idiopathic apnea in preterm infants, may have a vasoconstrictive effect on cerebral vessels. The ensuing reduction in cerebral blood flow may play a role in the pathogenesis of ischemic brain damage. In 25 preterm infants possible changes in cerebral blood flow due to caffeine administration were assessed using Doppler ultrasound. During caffeine treatment PaCO2 was reduced. However, no changes were found in cerebral blood flow velocity suggesting absence of major changes in cerebrovascular resistance and actual cerebral blood flow following caffeine medication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van Bel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van de Bor
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stijnen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baan
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ruys
mesh_terms: D001049:Apnea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001785:Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D002110:Caffeine