Optimizing caffeine therapy to protect kidneys and brain in preterm babies
Official title: Optimizing Caffeine Therapy for Hypoxia in Preterm Neonates: A Randomized Trial Assessing Efficacy, Acute Kidney and Brain Injury, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11400275 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A randomized study tests whether giving caffeine to very premature babies with kidney and brain hypoxia can reduce kidney injury and improve early brain and kidney outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $327,289 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD116793-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400275 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Preterm neonates at risk for acute kidney injury who are receiving caffeine as part of standard neonatal care.
✕Less likely to help
Some infants may not experience kidney hypoxia or may not respond to caffeine treatment.
What this research studies
This project uses caffeine, already common in neonatal care, in a carefully designed trial to see if it can prevent kidney injury in preterm infants by improving oxygen delivery to the kidneys and brain. Researchers will monitor kidney and brain oxygenation with noninvasive sensors and track safety, pharmacokinetics, and short-term outcomes. If successful, the study could pave the way for a multicenter trial and changes in how caffeine is used to protect fragile newborns.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, this approach could reduce kidney injury in preterm infants and improve longer-term kidney and brain health.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies suggest caffeine may lower AKI risk, but rigorous randomized trials focused on AKI prevention in this population are needed.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harer, Matthew — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Harer, Matthew
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.