Why is caffeine citrate given to a preterm infant after birth?

• A. Caffeine can help your baby breathe better.
• B. It stimulates the appetite.
• C. It prevents infections.
• D. It helps with weight gain.

Answer: (A)

Caffeine citrate is used to treat apnea of prematurity by stimulating the baby’s breathing. In very preterm infants, the brain's drive to breathe can be immature, leading to pauses in respiration (apnea) and sometimes accompanying drops in heart rate. Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant by blocking adenosine receptors, which increases neuronal activity and enhances respiratory drive and diaphragmatic contractions. This reduces the frequency of apnea and bradycardia, often lowering the need for mechanical ventilation and supporting better overall respiratory stability. It’s given after birth because this improvement in breathing helps the infant transition to stable, independent breathing. It isn’t used to stimulate appetite, prevent infections, or promote weight gain.