Caffeine injection: Helps premature babies breathe

Is your little one born prematurely? Premature babies are babies who need special care. Sometimes, the main problem with these babies is that their breathing becomes a little irregular. There may be times when the baby stops breathing for a while. In such cases, we are talking about a special medicine that doctors use to help the baby breathe properly again.

What is this drug called caffeine?

When we think of caffeine, we think of things like coffee and tea, right? But this is not about that kind of drink. Caffeine is a drug used medically that stimulates the brain and respiratory system . Simply put, it is a stimulant .

Because the part of the brain that controls breathing in premature babies is not yet fully developed, they may seem to 'forget' to breathe. In medicine, we call this apnea of ​​prematurity . The caffeine injection gives this breathing center in the brain a little 'push' and reminds it to "breathe, breathe." This medicine helps a lot to regulate the baby's breathing.

Things to tell the doctor before giving this medicine to your baby

Before deciding to give your little one a caffeine shot, it's important to consider the baby's fullIt's important to discuss your health history with your doctor, especially if your baby has any of these conditions.

• If you have heart disease or an irregular heartbeat .
• If you have kidney disease or liver disease .
• If you have a condition like seizure disorder .
• If you have colitis .
• Anemia , which means there is a lack of blood.
• If there is an infection in the body .
• If you have previously had an allergic reaction to medications such as caffeine, aminophylline, theophylline, other medications, foods, or preservatives.

Also, if you are a breastfeeding mother, tell your doctor, because even the caffeine in the foods you eat can pass to your baby through breast milk.

How do you give this medicine to a baby?

This medicine is given as an infusion into a vein, similar to saline . This is done in a hospital, by a trained doctor or nurse. This treatment is usually given in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where premature babies are cared for.

What to do if the medication dose is increased?

Since this is a medicine given in a hospital, the chance of overdose is very low. However, if you suspect that something like this might happen, you should inform the medical staff immediately. In Sri Lanka, the best place to get advice on any medicine or poisoning is the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Also, in any emergency, the hospital’s Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) should be informed.

Other drugs that interact with this medicine

Some medications can cause problems when taken with caffeine. So if your baby is taking any other medications, vitamins, or herbal remedies, tell your doctor about them.

In particular, it should never be used with antidepressants such as MAOIs (e.g. Carbex, Marplan).

In addition, the following medications can also interact with caffeine:

• Cimetidine
• Ketoconazole
• Medicines for colds or breathing difficulties
• Phenobarbitol (phenobarbital)
• Phenytoin
• Theophylline
• Stimulant medications for attention disorders

Things you as a parent should be aware of when giving medication

Doctors and nurses are constantly monitoring the baby's condition, but as parents, your observation is also very valuable.

• Pay attention to breathing: If your baby's breathing pattern does not improve after giving the medicine, or if it seems to be getting worse, tell the doctor or nurse immediately.
• Blood tests: The doctor will order blood tests to check the baby's caffeine levels and other things. Support them.
• If you are breastfeeding, this is very important: If you are breastfeeding, be very careful about your diet. Avoid foods and drinks that contain a lot of caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cola drinks, and chocolate . Because the caffeine you consume can also be absorbed into your baby's body through breast milk.

Side effects that may occur due to medication

As with any medication, caffeine shots can cause some side effects. While most of these are minor, it is important to report some of them early.