 News
21st January 2008
Coffee doubles
the risk of miscarriagePregnant women who drink more than two cups
of coffee a day may have double the risk of miscarriage, claim researchers. The
finding has led to calls for expectant mothers to limit or even stop drinking
coffee, tea, caffeinated drinks or hot chocolate to be on the safe side. Consultant
obstetrician Pat O'Brien, spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and
Gynaeologists, said: "On the basis of this study I think I'll be advising women
to avoid caffeine during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, especially those with
a history of miscarriage." Caffeine might harm the unborn baby because
it stays in the system longer in pregnant women and passes easily to the growing
baby, who cannot readily metabolise it. It may damage cell development
and decrease placental blood flow, affecting the unborn baby's life-support system.
There have been fears a high caffeine intake could also affect birth weight and
prematurity. U.S. researchers looked at 1,063 pregnant women in San Francisco
between October 1996 and October 1998 who did not change their caffeine consumption
during pregnancy. Those who consumed 200mg or more of caffeine a day -
the equivalent of two or more regular cups of coffee or five 12oz cans of caffeinated
drink - had twice the miscarriage risk of women who consumed no caffeine. Women
who consumed some caffeine but less than 200mg daily had a more than 40 per cent
increased risk of miscarriage. The study, published today in the American
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, was carried out by the research division
of Kaiser Permanente, the largest health plan in the United States. The
British Coffee Association said it offered advice on coffee consumption during
pregnancy in line with the Food Standards Agency guidance which recommends 300mg
of caffeine per day as a safe upper limit for pregnant women. This equates
to four cups of instant coffee or three cups of brewed coffee. This position
is also supported by the Royal College of Midwives and the Centre for Pregnancy
Nutrition. A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency said it was funding
a study on caffeine consumption in pregnancy which was almost complete and would
revise its advice if appropriate. Where to next?
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