Caffeine and low birth weight infants

Women drinking coffee during pregnancy may increase the risk of low birth weight and lead to prolonged pregnancy, according to a team from Sal Grenska University Hospital in Sweden, writing in the latest issue of BMC Medicine.

The researchers tracked the dietary status of mothers in more than 60,000 pregnancies over the past decade and the health data of their babies at birth. The results showed that women who consumed 100 milligrams of caffeine a day increased their pregnancy by an average of five hours, but women who mainly got the same amount of caffeine from coffee extended their pregnancy by eight hours. In addition, women who consumed 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine a day had a 27% to 62% increased risk of underweight at birth. Low birth weight infants are generally more likely to develop respiratory diseases and other health problems than standard weight infants.

Currently, the American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommends 200mg of caffeine during pregnancy, and as a reference, a Starbucks medium cup (Tall) coffee contains 240mg. In addition, tea, cola, energy drinks and chocolate also contain caffeine. In view of this, the researchers called for adjustments to the recommended intake of caffeine during pregnancy.