Improving Preterm Kidney Outcomes With Caffeine

The study population will consist of 114 preterm neonates born less than 30 weeks gestational age who have an intravenous (IV) line for which IV medications can be administered and who can have brain and kidney Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring.

Eligible participants will be enrolled between 12-96 hours of life after preterm birth and admission to the Meriter NICU. Baseline data will be collected and NIRS monitoring will be started when appropriate as determined by the team based on clinical guidelines and standard of care.

Those participants having kidney oxygenation less than 50 percent (and troubleshooting procedures have occurred and while ensuring brain oxygenation is not below 55 percent) after 48 hours and within the first 14 DOL will be randomized in a 1:1 manner to one of two treatment arms (Arm 1 and Arm 2).

• Arm 1: IV caffeine citrate (20 mg/kg) (n = 51)
• Arm 2: Placebo - same volume of 0.9% Sodium Chloride United States Pharmacopeia (USP) (n=51)

Those participants who do not develop kidney hypoxia during the first 14 DOL will be the normal kidney oxygenation control group and receive no intervention (Arm 3).

• Arm 3: Normal Kidney oxygenation (no intervention) (Approximately n = 12)

Participant accrual will occur over 48 months. Participants will complete all study specific activities during the NICU hospitalization over the course of the first 28 DOL and clinical outcomes will be collected through NICU discharge or 6 months of age, whichever occurs first. Each participant will contribute blood specimens for creatinine and caffeine levels as well as approximately 20-40 urine samples for biomarker analysis.

Inclusion criteria

• Gestational age at birth between 23 0/7 and 29 6/7 weeks.
• Able to have near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring of cerebral and kidney oxygenation.
• Able to receive IV medications.
• Indwelling umbilical arterial catheter (UAC), umbilical venous catheter (UVC), peripheral arterial line (PAL), or peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) already in place that can draw blood.
• Receiving caffeine at the time of enrollment
• Have a birth parent who is at least 18 years old and have a parent or guardian who is able to provide parental permission in English or Spanish

Exclusion criteria

• Known or suspected major congenital anomaly of the brain, heart, lungs or kidney (excluding UTD A1 pyelectasis).
• Known or suspected chromosomal or genetic anomaly.
• Not suitable for study participation due to other reasons at the discretion of the investigators.