Caffeine trial aims to keep preterm babies breathing safely at home
NCT ID NCT06518603
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether giving caffeine citrate to moderately preterm infants for 28 days after hospital discharge can prevent apnea (breathing pauses) that lead to sick visits. About 340 babies in Zambia will receive either caffeine or a placebo daily. Researchers will also check if caffeine improves the babies' development at 12 months of age.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- caffeine citrate
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could reduce dangerous breathing pauses and emergency visits in preterm babies after they go home, and possibly improve their development at one year.
- What could go wrong
- This is a Phase 4 trial, but it's still early to know if caffeine helps after discharge. The study is in one country (Zambia), so results may not apply everywhere. Caffeine can cause side effects like jitteriness or fast heart rate.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University Teaching Hospital
RECRUITINGLusaka, Lusaka Province, 10100, Zambia
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