Caffeine intoxication in a premature neonate

Caffeine, which has a wide range between therapeutic and toxic levels, is a widely used medication for prevention and treatment of apnoea of prematuri ty. Despite its safety, caffeine overdose and intoxication has been previou sly reported in the literature. We present a 30-day-old 28-week preterm new born who was exposed to 300 mg.kg(-1) caffeine base by mouth accidentally. The patient exhibited agitations, irritability, tachycardia, tachypnoea, di uresis, electrolyte abnormalities, hyperglycaemia and metabolic acidosis, f or which he received supportive treatment. No seizure activity was observed . The effects of intoxication lasted for 96 h and then completely resolved.