Role of carnitine supplementation in apnea of prematurity: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the role of carnitine supplementation in premature infants on apnea of prematurity, length of ventilation and duration of hospital stay.


METHODS
Two reviewers independently conducted a literature search for relevant studies. No language restrictions were applied. Decisions to include studies for the review, and methodological quality of the included studies were assessed in duplicate based on predetermined criteria.


RESULTS
Three studies met the selection criteria (reproducibility-kappa 0.76+/-SE 0.122). One study was later excluded. Both included studies were randomized double-blind placebo control prevention trials among babies <1500 g of weight. There was no difference among the groups for outcomes of bedside nurse recorded frequency of apnea episodes, continuous objective recording of apnea, length of ventilation (WMD -3.24 days, 95% CI -8.39, 1.92) or length of hospital stay (WMD -5.4 days, 95% CI -15.53, 4.72).


CONCLUSIONS
Present evidence does not support the regular use of carnitine for the prevention of apnea of prematurity.
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Manoj
M
Kumar
Nandkishor S
NS
Kabra
Bosco
B
Paes
D001049:Apnea / Q000628:therapy*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases; D007902:Length of Stay; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017211:Treatment Failure
D002331:Carnitine