ABSTRACT
Background. Methylxanthines such as caffeine have been proven to reduce apnoea of prematurity and are often discontinued at 35 weeks' corrected gestational age (GA).Objective. To ascertain whether a caffeine protocol based on international guidelines is applicable in our setting; where GA is often uncertain.Methods. A prospective folder review was undertaken of all premature infants discharged home over a 2-month period.Results. Fifty-five babies were included. All babies born at less than 35 weeks' GA were correctly started on caffeine as per protocol. GA was assigned in 85.5 of cases by Ballard scoring and in 14.5 from antenatal ultrasound findings. Caffeine was discontinued before 35 weeks in 54.5 Discussion. The main reason for discontinuing caffeine early was the baby's ability to feed satisfactorily; a demonstration of physiological maturity. As feeding behaviours mature significantly between 33 and 36 weeks; the ability to feed may be a good indication that caffeine therapy can be stopped
Subject(s)
Apnea/therapy , Caffeine/therapeutic use , InfantABSTRACT
Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the in vitro interaction of some penicillins (amoxicillin; ampicillin and benzylpenicillin) and caffeine against Staphylococcus aureus. Method: The interaction between the penicillins and caffeine was studied using the Overlay Inoculum Susceptibility Disc (OLISD) method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the drugs were determined separately and in combination with caffeine (5 and 10 mg/ml). Result: At 5 and 10 mg/ml; caffeine decreased the MIC of amoxicillin by 22 and 25 times respectively; while that of ampicillin was decreased by 6 and 8 times. The MIC of benzylpenicillin against Staphylococcus aureus was; however; increased by 59 and 40 times at caffeine concentrations of 5 and 10 mg/ml respectively. The inhibition zone diameter increment above 19(index of synergism in OLISD method) was recorded only for amoxicillin at amoxicillin concentrations of 7.81; 15.3; 31.25 and 62.5 mg/ml. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the concomitant use of caffeine and the studied antibiotics may potentiate the antibacterial effect of amoxicillin against Staphylococcus aureus; decrease that of benzylpenicillin and has virtually no effect on that of ampicillin. This implies that the intake of caffeine in form of analgesic combination or as tea; coffee; beverages or from other food sources may affect the effectiveness of a co-administered amoxicillin and bezylpenicillin