Even though a Starbucks beckons from every intersection in Los Angeles, pregnant
women might want to avoid them. Or, if you do go, stick to decaf. I say this
after reading a new study by the British Medical Journal examining the effects
of caffeine on unborn fetus weight. Caffeine, even in what is considered to be
normal, moderate amounts, can be linked to increased risk of fetal growth
restriction (FGR).
Gathering a group of 2645 pregnant (8-12 weeks), low-risk women (average age of
30), researchers used a caffeine assessment tool to monitor caffeine consumption
from all sources and a saliva test to measure individual caffeine metabolism.
Both were found to affect fetal weight.
Compared to women consuming less than 100 mg caffeine per day, the risk of
having a baby with fetal growth restriction rose by 20% on 100-199 mg/day; by
50% on 200-299 mg/day; and by 40% on over 300 mg/day. Simply put, no amount of
caffeine intake was “safe.” Even just over 100 mg/day resulted in, on average,
reductions in birth weights of 34-59 g in the first, 24-74 g in the second, and
66-89 g in the third trimesters. This may not sound significant, but for cute
little babies – already vulnerable to health problems – even a few grams of
weight lost can be dangerous. Researchers also found a link between fast
caffeine metabolism and FGR. So, if espresso hits you fast and hard, you’re
probably at a higher risk for FGR.
It’s pretty clear that pregnant women should reduce their intake of any and all
drugs and stimulants – including coffee, tea, energy drinks, soda, or anything
at all that contains caffeine. Just don’t trade one vice for another. We’re
talking about two lives here.
