Even a little caffeine linked to underweight baby, study finds
03.11.2008 23:01
Shopping
- Source: cbc.ca
Pregnant women who consume caffeine — even about a cup of coffee daily — are at higher risk of giving birth to an underweight baby, researchers said on Monday. The new findings published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) also linked any source of caffeine, including that from tea, cola, chocolate and some prescription drugs, to relatively slower fetal growth. The findings are the latest in mounting evidence indicating the amount of caffeine a person consumes may directly impact one's health, especially when pregnant. In January, U.S. researchers found that pregnant women who drink two or more cups of coffee a day are at twice the risk of having a miscarriage as those women who avoid caffeine. Babies born underweight are more likely to develop a range of health conditions when they grow older, including high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems. Women who drank one to two cups of coffee daily, or between 100-199 milligrams, had a 20 per cent increased risk of having a baby of low birth weight, the study found. This was compared to women who consumed less than 100 milligrams daily. "Caffeine consumption during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of fetal growth restriction and this association continued throughout pregnancy," Justin Konje at the University of Leicester in Britain and colleagues wrote. "Sensible advice would be to reduce caffeine intake before conception and throughout pregnancy." Looked at 2,645 womenKonje and his team, which included researchers from the University of Leeds, looked at 2,645 women at an average age of 30 who were between eight and 12 weeks pregnant. The women reported an average caffeine consumption during pregnancy of 159 milligrams per day, lower than new recommended limits of 200 milligrams in Britain. The likelihood of having a low birth weight baby rose to 50 per cent for women who consumed between 200 milligrams and 299 milligrams each day, about two to three cups of coffee. The impact was about the same as from alcohol and the association with low birth weight was maintained throughout a woman's pregnancy, the study found. Even small amounts may prove harmful but Konje said in a telephone interview the best advice was to limit caffeine consumption to below 100 milligrams a day. "We couldn't say that there was a lower limit for which there is no effect," he said. "My advice is if possible to reduce caffeine intake to a minimum. You have to be realistic because you can't ask people to stop taking caffeine." Such studies don't prove that caffeine causes problems. Dr. Gideon Koren, director of the Motherisk Program at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, has said that women need not stop drinking coffee, but should avoid overindulging. For women of childbearing age, Health Canada's recommended maximum daily caffeine intake is no more than 300 milligrams. With files from ReutersRelatedInternal LinksIN DEPTH: CaffeineCaffeine doubles risk of miscarriage: U.S. researchersCoca-Cola to add caffeine content to nutrition labelsExternal LinksCaffeine intake/low birth weight study, BMJCaffeine, It's Your Health, Health Canada(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window) Consumer HeadlinesGoodbye to cellphone system access fees?The cellphone system access fee may be heading toward extinction with reports that Rogers Communications Inc. is relaunching its Fido discount brand without the hated charge.Auto sales take a beating in U.S., picture brighter in CanadaAnalysts anticipating weak North American vehicle sales figures for October in the face of low consumer confidence and tight credit were largely proved right on Monday.Deregulating food inspection puts public at risk: unionThe union representing government scientists is calling for an immediate freeze on the deregulation of food inspection.Conference Board cuts Canadian outlook for 2009The battering that global financial markets have taken in recent weeks has prompted one research group to cut its outlook for the Canadian economy for 2009. TSX slips 41 points, C$ up 1.66 cents USNorth American markets had a relatively calm day Monday, after the wild swings that characterized trading in October. Consumer Life FeaturesMAPDriving and dialingCellphone bans and restrictions around the worldIN DEPTHE. coliFAQsSAFETYRecalls and AdvisoriesBLOGFood BytesUncorking history of alcoholVIDEOMoneyBartering makes a comeback (2:26)COMM-ODDITIESMoneyAs economy melts away, so does New York sculpturePeople who read this also read …
| 
Add comment