Sleep apnea is described as a condition in which breathing ceases to occur, momentariliy, while sleeping. For children born prematurely, sleep apnea can become a significant health complication and is one of many concerns for children in a neonatal intensive care unit. For these children, born prematurely between 28 and 33 weeks of gestation, sleep apnea can be alleviated through the use of the FDA approved drug, Cafcit. As parents of the premature newborn, understanding the use of Cafcit, in newborn sleep apnea treatment, the side effects and contraindication, will assist in a better understanding of the care provided by health care professionals.
Cafcit, in the treatment of premature newborn sleep apnea, is an FDA approved drug which lends its effectiveness to the use of caffeine and the central nervous system response in the body. In fact, studies have shown the use of Cafcit, in the treatment of sleep apnea in newborn children, shows significant sleep apnea improvement by the second day of administration. Because Cafcit is a caffeine based treatment, the administration of Cafcit will produce a central nervous system response thereby decreasing the cessation of breathing during periods of rest.
As with most prescription medications, Cafcit does not come without side effects and contraindications. For a premature baby born with a cardiovascular complication, the use of Cafcit, in the treatment of the newborn’s sleep apnea, is not recommended. Additionally, premature babies with kidney or renal complications should be administered Cafcit under extreme caution. Side effects of Cafcit, when used to treat sleep apnea in premature babies, may include upset stomach, feeding intolerance, sepsis, dry skin, rash and possibly kidney failure. Although most side effects are not life threatening, the delicate nature of the premature baby’s condition requires careful examination by the health care professional. When side effects impact the function of the body’s systems, the physician may choose to discontinue the use of Cafcit in the premature newborn baby.
Dosing of Cafcit will vary depending on the health status of the premature baby. Because Cafcit’s success, in the treatment of sleep apnea in premature babies, is based on a caffeine response, the administration will depend on the weight of the baby with general guidelines recommending the first does at 20 milligrams per one kilogram of weight. As this is a rather high dosing, the premature baby will be monitored closely for 24 hours to gauge the response to the use of the caffeine based Cafcit. With successful outcome noted, additional dosing may occur on a daily basis at a lower dosing level of five milligrams per one kilogram of weight.
For parents of a premature newborn baby, anxiety and fear is profound. Especially when parents are unfamiliar with the treatment and health status of the new baby. Because the newborn requires many hours of rest, the development of sleep apnea may attribute to a delay in growth and development. When faced with a sleep apnea condition, health care professionals will commonly turn to Cafcit as an option to improve sleep apnea in the premature newborn. For more information regarding sleep apnea in premature babies, visit www.keepkidshealthy.com.
