What is the purpose of using caffeine in the management of preterm infants?

The use of caffeine in the management of preterm infants primarily serves to stimulate respiratory drive. Preterm infants often experience apnea of prematurity, which involves pauses in breathing that can lead to decreased oxygen levels. Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant, helping to enhance the respiratory effort and thus reduce the incidence and severity of apneic episodes in these infants. By improving respiratory drive, caffeine can help ensure that the infant maintains adequate ventilation and oxygenation, which is crucial for their overall health and development.

While other options touch on important aspects of neonatal care, they are not the primary therapeutic role of caffeine. For instance, while caffeine may have secondary benefits in terms of weight gain through improved feeding and reduced apnea-related stress, its main purpose is to directly address respiratory function. Therefore, the choice highlighting caffeine's role in stimulating respiratory drive aligns best with its established use in NICU practices for supporting preterm infants.