Caffeine in prematurers: unexpected hope against the sudden death of children

The sudden death of the child (MSN) remains one of the main causes of death in children under a year. Still largely inexplicable, it often occurs during sleep, without a warning sign. Faced with this persistent anxiety of parents, today a double scientific advancement attracts attention: caffeine, already used in neonatology to treat the apnea of the prematureates, could also reduce the risks of MSN.

Caffeine, neonatal treatment with unexpected collateral effect

An observation study in Canada on over 19,000 premature children (born before 31 weeks) between 2010 and 2019 revealed that those who received caffeine from the first 48 hours of life presented almost half the risk of dying suddenly after leaving the hospital. First it is the administration, the more effective protection is.

In parallel, an American review published in The Journal of Perinatology Explore a coherent biological hypothesis: caffeine, stimulating the respiratory system and reducing the episodes of intermittent hypoxia (periods of oxygen fall in the blood), would strengthen The ability to awaken the child during sleep. However, this ability to wake up in case of breathing difficulty is exactly lacking in the victims of MSN children.

Intermittent hypoxic: a central mechanism in the EMN

The researchers underline that many recognized risk factors (prematurity, maternal smoke, ventral position, respiratory infections) have one thing in common: Expose the child to intermittent hypoxia. This partial deprivation of oxygen could cause brain damage to the brain trunk, the area that regulates breathing and awakening. If the child fails to self -cut, the situation can quickly become fatal.

By limiting these episodes of hypoxia, caffeine could therefore play an indirect preventive role, but saving.

I hope for the premature parents

For families who face a premature birth, these results bring a glimmer of hope. The anxiety of the EMS, which often occurs without a warning sign, weighs heavily in the first months of parenting. Be able to rely on a well -known treatment, already integrated into neonatal careAnd now associated with a reduction in post-hospitalization risk, it constitutes a precious progress.

Caffeine is not a miraculous drug, but an additional tool in the preventive arsenal. Administered in advance, it improves respiratory stability and seems to strengthen the resilience of the organization to critical episodes.

Limits, but an important step

The authors remain cautious: this is an observational study e Not a randomized clinical study. In other words, scientists cannot yet say with certainty that caffeine is the only responsible for reducing the risk of MSN. Other factors could come into play, including the quality of the care or the general medical conditions of the treated children.

However, the observed connection is quite robust to justify further searches. And, from a practical point of view, it could already encourage neonatal units to administer caffeine before, in the first 48 hours of life.

To remember for the parents

If your baby is born premature, know that caffeine is part current treatments used to protect its respiratory system. This new light shows that it could also play a preventive role against the sudden death of the child.

However, we must not sink Happy conclusions on caffeine consumption during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The effects differ according to the context: administered from a medical point of view, caffeine is carefully dosed. On the other hand, Excessive consumption by the mother could expose the child to sleep disorders or irritability, without proven benefits.

It remains caution in order, but one thing is clear: the research on the EMS is advancing. And any progress, even modest, is a victory against this silent tragedy.