At 11 years, available data from 870 patients showed generally similar neurobehavioral outcomes between groups, although the caffeine group scored higher on most scales. The most apparent benefits included visuomotor integration (mean difference from placebo, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.0-3.7; P less than .05), visual perception (2.0; 95% CI, 0.3-3.8; P = .02), fine motor coordination (2.9; 95% CI, 0.7-5.1; P = .01), and Rey Complex Figure copy accuracy, a measure of visuospatial organization (1.2; 95% CI, 0.4-2.0; P = .003).
Eleven-year follow-up data were missing for 22% of patients, but their birth characteristics and childhood outcomes resembled those of patients with available data, the investigators said. “Therefore, we are confident that the outcomes of the whole cohort are reflected in the present results with sufficient accuracy.”
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research provided funding. The investigators reported having no relevant conflicts of interest.
SOURCE: Mürner-Lavanchy IM et al. Pediatrics. 2018 Apr 11. doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-4047.