Why are premature infants treated with caffeine?

Wake up time: Caffeine has the same effect on babies that is does on adults, as a stimulant. With advances in the care of premi infants in the 70's and 80's, they found many had prolonged periods of apnea (not breathing) due to an immature breathing system. Small amounts of caffeine (it is toxic in higher quantity) will "wake up" the pattern and reduce the periods of apnea.