The effects of caffeine following hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: A systematic review of animal studies

•Caffeine (CAF) is mainly used to prevent respiratory morbidity in preterm infants.•We assessed CAF’s effects in preclinical studies of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.•Caf seems to improve overall functional and neurological outcome.•However the certainty of the evidence was limited.•Caf’s effects should be assessed in larger animal models.