Changes in pulmonary mechanics following caffeine administration in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

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Abstract
The effects of caffeine upon pulmonary mechanics were measured in 16 infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Pulmonary function tests were performed immediately prior to and 1 hour following a dose of 10 mg/kg of caffeine. A 37% increase in minute ventilation (mean ± SEM; 436.6 ± 26.3 to 580.8 ± 30.7 ml/min/kg) was seen with caffeine administration (P < 0.001), primarily from a 42% increase in tidal volume (6.2 ± 0.4 to 8.5 ± 0.4 ml/kg) (P < 0.001). Total lung resistance decreased by 20% (134.6 + 24.2 to 105.3 ± 20.1 cmH2O/L/sec) (P = 0.01), and total pulmonary compliance improved by 47% (0.642 ± 0.104 to 0.908 ± 0.190 ml/cmH2O/kg) (P < 0.01). In five matched control infants with BPD, no effects of placebo upon pulmonary mechanics were detected. Since caffeine has a wide therapeutic index with few side effects, it may be an effective adjunct in the treatment of infants with BPD.