Late effects of caffeine use on sleep of premature infants

• Grant number: 19/26409-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2020
• End date: March 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Maternal and Child Health
• Principal Investigator: Vânia D'Almeida
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Nunes de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Preterm birth is the main risk factor for infant morbidity and mortality. It is estimated to be around 11.5% of births in Brazil. Giving birth before the appropriate period leads to an interruption of the newborn's normal development and may cause apnea of prematurity that is treated with caffeine. Caffeine competitively inhibits adenosine receptors by prolonging sleep latency, reducing total sleep time and sleep efficiency. Studies suggested that prolonged inhibition of adenosine receptors by caffeine in the developing brain may adversely affect sleep duration and sleep apnea during childhood. Neonate's sleep can be divided in quiet and active that resemble non-REM and REM sleep, respectively. The more premature is a neonate the more undefined will be the sleep pattern that may cause problems. This study aims to assess whether caffeine use by premature infants during the neonatal period is associated with changes in sleep habits and the presence of obstructive sleep apnea comparing them with children who did not use caffeine and term born children using questionnaires about sleep habits and apnea validated in Portuguese and appropriate for their ages. (AU)