Most premature babies outgrow their apnea at a post-conceptional age of 34 to 36 weeks. Although it is unlikely that you will ever have to use CPR, it is best for you to be prepared. If a baby has never been given medication for apnea, he may be considered ready for discharge when he has not had apnea for 7 days. If a baby given medication for apnea does not have apnea for 7 days and is ready to go home, he may be sent home with a prescription for theophylline or caffeine. After he has grown and matured for about a month his medication may be stopped.
Theophylline is given by mouth three times a day.
Caffeine is given by mouth once a day. If a baby on medication is apnea free but not ready to go home for other reasons, the theophylline or caffeine may be stopped and the baby will be observed for apnea for 5 to 7 days. If the baby has apnea again, he may be given medication for it again. Sometimes a baby keeps having apnea spells despite treatment with theophylline or caffeine. In these cases your baby's physician may recommend home monitoring to allow earlier discharge from the hospital.