Baby & Caffeine Article From Yesterday's Star Ledger

Dave left this article for me out on the table - thought i'd share...

Just a cup of coffee, except to fetus...
Even little caffeine found to raise risk of underweight newborns.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008
BY ANGELA STEWART
Star-Ledger Staff

Pregnant women who consume even small amounts of caffeine increase their chances of having a low-birth-weight baby, a study released yesterday found.

British researchers who surveyed more than 2,600 pregnant women found that the risk of low birth weight increased 20 percent for those whose daily caffeine intake exceeded 200 milligrams -- the equivalent of a cup or two of coffee, according to the study published online by the British Medical Journal.

And the increased risk was not linked just to coffee. The majority of caffeine consumed by participants in the study -- one of the largest to date examining the association between caffeine and fetal growth -- came from tea. Other caffeine sources included chocolate, cola, other beverages and even some over-the-counter medications.

"Women should not be alarmed, but the advice I would say to women is that if you're planning a pregnancy or you are pregnant, you should reduce your caffeine intake as much as possible," said study author Justin Konje, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Leicester.

The findings are the latest in mounting evidence that the amount of caffeine a person consumes has a direct impact on the person's health, especially in the case of pregnant women. In January, California researchers found pregnant women who drink two or more cups of coffee a day are at twice the risk of having a miscarriage as women who avoid caffeine.

In the British study, women who consumed between 100 and 199 milligrams of caffeine daily -- one to two cups of coffee -- had a 20 percent increased risk of having a baby of low birth weight, compared with women who consumed less than 100 milligrams daily. For those consuming between 200 and 299 milligrams, the increase in risk was 50 percent, according to the study.

Several earlier studies, which either were shorter in duration or examined fewer caffeine sources, concluded it would take more than 300 milligrams of caffeine a day to increase the chance of a low-weight newborn. Low birth weight can lead to serious health issues, including respiratory problems and, later in life, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.

The March of Dimes considers anything less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces to be a low birth weight.
The organization recommends that women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant consume no more than 200 mg of caffeine a day.
"Caffeine amounts in coffee depend on the brand you drink and how it's made," said Janis Biermann, a March of Dimes senior vice president. "So check the label on the package or ask at your coffee shop."

Marcel Favetta, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Somerset Medical Center, said he advises his pregnant patients to steer clear of caffeine as well as alcohol and smoking, which also can also affect the weight of a newborn.
"The fact is that 'nothing' is better than 'some,'" he said.

In the study, caffeine intake was measured through patient questionnaires as well as saliva samples to calculate individual caffeine metabolism. The association between caffeine and low birth weight was found to be stronger in women who had a faster clearance rate.
"I'm reluctant to jump on board and say, 'Absolutely abstain from caffeine,' but it sounds like, based on this, women need to be a little more cautious," said Scott Fisher, a registered dietitian who directs the Health and Fitness Center at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck.

The full report can be found on the medical journal's website (bmj.com).

Angela Stewart may be reached at [email protected] or (973) 392-4178.

Message edited 11/5/2008 9:41:41 AM.

Re: Baby & Caffeine Article From Yesterday's Star Ledger

Caffeine comsumption also increases your risk of miscarraige in the first trimester significantly!

Re: Baby & Caffeine Article From Yesterday's Star Ledger

Hmmm....

It makes me wonder why some Dr.'s tell you its ok and other tell you its not.

If this is TRUE, then why dont they all agree???

I dont drink coffee often (pregnant or not) but I do drink soda and ice tea. With my 1st child, I asked about whether or not I had to stop.

And he actually told me, Id have to drink LITERS of soda daily for it to effect the baby, and that in moderation it was fine.

I did have 1 can of coke every day, and ended up having a healthy baby just under 8lbs; 3 weeks early

Re: Baby & Caffeine Article From Yesterday's Star Ledger

Posted by 05mommy09

Hmmm....

It makes me wonder why some Dr.'s tell you its ok and other tell you its not.

If this is TRUE, then why dont they all agree???

I dont drink coffee often (pregnant or not) but I do drink soda and ice tea. With my 1st child, I asked about whether or not I had to stop.

And he actually told me, Id have to drink LITERS of soda daily for it to effect the baby, and that in moderation it was fine.

I did have 1 can of coke every day, and ended up having a healthy baby just under 8lbs; 3 weeks early

Message edited 11/5/2008 12:18:58 PM.

Re: Baby & Caffeine Article From Yesterday's Star Ledger

I know, I'm not even pregnant so I shouldn't intrude, and I wont say whether I agree or disagree with the article b/c I think every woman should make these decisions for themselves. That being said my OB said caffeine was ok in moderation, with DS I drank 1 cup of coffee (by 1 cup I mean about 16 oz) 1/2 caff/1/2 decaf and DS was 1 1/2 weeks early and weighed 8 lbs 15 oz.

Re: Baby & Caffeine Article From Yesterday's Star Ledger

Posted by Blissful

Posted by 05mommy09

Hmmm....

It makes me wonder why some Dr.'s tell you its ok and other tell you its not.

If this is TRUE, then why dont they all agree???

I dont drink coffee often (pregnant or not) but I do drink soda and ice tea. With my 1st child, I asked about whether or not I had to stop.

And he actually told me, Id have to drink LITERS of soda daily for it to effect the baby, and that in moderation it was fine.

I did have 1 can of coke every day, and ended up having a healthy baby just under 8lbs; 3 weeks early

Not all doctors receive the same training. They don't all keep up to date with current journals and research studies. Not enough research is done on the effects of caffeince etc on teh fetus.... some are more concerned with other aspects of the pregnancy and don't find this issue to be as important. Different personal beliefs between doctor to doctor.

Dr.s are human and there is only some much information they can stay on top of . Its important to have a great doctor but do some good research yourself and common sense.

Caffeine is a stimulant and has side effects and does pass through the palcenta. While you may not notice symptoms from 1 cup of coffe its not the same as 1 cup of coffe on a growing embryo and fetus.......

There are studies out there that show an increase in heart rate of the fetus after the mother has a caffeinated drink. Just because a baby is born fine and healthy doens't mean that teh caffeine didn't effect them adversely in untero. I don't want my babies heart rate becaoming unaturally elevated because of a stimulant drink that I drank on a constan basis. I also think that stiumlants can contribute to hyperactivity in a child.

There will never be a time when ALL doctors agree on what is right and wrong and good or bad because they are all individuals. As much as mediecine is factual science it is also an art......

Re: Baby & Caffeine Article From Yesterday's Star Ledger

Posted by 05mommy09

Posted by Blissful

Posted by 05mommy09

Hmmm....

It makes me wonder why some Dr.'s tell you its ok and other tell you its not.

If this is TRUE, then why dont they all agree???

I dont drink coffee often (pregnant or not) but I do drink soda and ice tea. With my 1st child, I asked about whether or not I had to stop.

And he actually told me, Id have to drink LITERS of soda daily for it to effect the baby, and that in moderation it was fine.

I did have 1 can of coke every day, and ended up having a healthy baby just under 8lbs; 3 weeks early

Not all doctors receive the same training. They don't all keep up to date with current journals and research studies. Not enough research is done on the effects of caffeince etc on teh fetus.... some are more concerned with other aspects of the pregnancy and don't find this issue to be as important. Different personal beliefs between doctor to doctor.

Dr.s are human and there is only some much information they can stay on top of . Its important to have a great doctor but do some good research yourself and common sense.

Caffeine is a stimulant and has side effects and does pass through the palcenta. While you may not notice symptoms from 1 cup of coffe its not the same as 1 cup of coffe on a growing embryo and fetus.......

There are studies out there that show an increase in heart rate of the fetus after the mother has a caffeinated drink. Just because a baby is born fine and healthy doens't mean that teh caffeine didn't effect them adversely in untero. I don't want my babies heart rate becaoming unaturally elevated because of a stimulant drink that I drank on a constan basis. I also think that stiumlants can contribute to hyperactivity in a child.

There will never be a time when ALL doctors agree on what is right and wrong and good or bad because they are all individuals. As much as mediecine is factual science it is also an art......

How can that be... In most jobs you are always required to continue training.

I know in my job- I have to have 30hrs of training every 2yrs, in order to keep up with "whats new"

I would think Dr.'s should do so as well...

If a Dr. is telling you its ok to drink soda daily when in fact that is incorrect- IMO that is wrong.

Dr.'s are dealing with people LIVES- Im sure the have to continue trainings and learn whats the latest FACTS, pretaining to their field... No?


-Im not trying to debate- Im genuinely curious

Message edited 11/5/2008 1:01:45 PM.