Recent evidence in Brazil regarding the use of xanthines in Premature Infants and their impact on Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Recent evidence in Brazil regarding the use of xanthines in Premature Infants and their impact on Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51473/rbmed.v1i1.2026.21Abstract
Objective: Analyze the effectiveness of methylxanthines, with emphasis on caffeine citrate, in the prevention of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) and in improving clinical outcomes of premature newborns in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Brazil. Methods: A narrative literature review with a qualitative approach was conducted, consulting the PubMed, SciELO, and BVS databases. The time frame includes high-impact articles and national guidelines published between 2021 and 2026, with a focus on clinical reports from Brazilian reference centers and protocols from the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics. Results: The data show that early administration of caffeine (within the first 48 hours of life) acts by antagonizing endogenous adenosine, facilitating ventilatory weaning, and significantly reducing the duration of oxygen therapy. Reports from institutions in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, and Curitiba demonstrate a reduction of up to 25% in the incidence of moderate-to-severe BPD, as well as improved neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months corrected age. It was also observed that caffeine has a superior safety profile compared to other xanthines, with a lower rate of cardiovascular adverse effects. Conclusion: Current evidence consolidates the use of methylxanthines as an essential lung-protective strategy in Brazilian neonatology. Given the positive impact on public health and the reduction of hospital costs, the urgency of including caffeine citrate in the list of essential medications of the Unified Health System (SUS) is highlighted, aiming to ensure equity in neonatal care across the country.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Daniely Ribeiro, Maria de Fátima Rocha da Rocha, Leonardo Kadu Tavares Veloso, Fellipe Aristeu Cunha Conrado, Emilly Kamilly Guimarães Dias, Ágatha Aline Rodrigues Ribeiro, Marcus Raphael Maia Moura, João Afonso de Souza Monarcha, Thiago Cunha da Cunha, Bárbara Begot de Freitas Rodrigues, Giovanna Lopes Passos (Autor)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
© Revista Científica Brasileira de Saúde e Medicina (Brazilian Scientific Journal of Health and Medicine) 2025. Todos os direitos reservados. Este trabalho está licenciado sob a Licença Internacional Creative Commons Atribuição 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).