Introduction and aim Previous studies demonstrated that caffeine seems to be effective for reducing the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and for decreasing the need for reintubation. We aimed to evaluate the effects of caffeine therapy on respiratory morbidities in very low birth weights infants.

Method We aimed to review patient records for a 5 year period (2008–2013) retrospectively. Infants whose birth weight <1250 gr and gestational age <32 weeks were studied. Data collected for analysis included patient demographics, respiratory morbidities and mortality.

Results A total of 290 patient records were analysed, of them 148 infants were treated with caffeine (CT+),142 infant did not receive caffeine therapy (CT-). Gestational ages (27.9 ± 2 vs 27.7 ± 2.7 weeks) and birth weights (967 ± 186 vs 980 ± 196 g) were similar between groups (p > 0.05). Basic characteristics and risk factors were similar between groups. CPAP failure was significantly lower in CT+ group (25,4% vs 41.1%, p = 0.02)Oxygen requirement on 36 weeks (13.2% vs 7.4% in CT+ and CT- groups respectively) were similar between groups (p > 0.05). Mortality rate (18.9% vs 54%), BPD or death (28.6% vs 57%)and duration of mechanical ventilation (2.9 ± 5 vs 4.8 ± 7.7 days) were significantly lower in CT+ group (p < 0.01).

Conclusion We demonstrated that caffeine therapy significantly reduced the mortality rate, death or BPD and CPAP failure VLBW infant yet no significant difference was observed on therates of BPD. This is an ongoing study and maybe the final analysis will yield different results.