Caffeine Article from Yesterday's Star Ledger

Just an FYI girls - it does mention TTC'ing as well as pregnancy....

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.

Re: Caffeine Article from Yesterday's Star Ledger

I read this yesterday...started drinking my 16 0z cup of coffee 1/2 caf 1/2 decaf and will ween myself off next week to total decaf!!!

Re: Caffeine Article from Yesterday's Star Ledger

My first reaction was...I drank one or two diet cokes a day when I was pregnant and DS (thankfully) is very healthy...birth weight was 8lbs 11oz and he was delivered one day before my estimated due date. My OBGYN was fine with it...one can has 35mg and throughout my pregnancy..try as I would...DS would give me a hard time with chocolate. Never drank coffee.

But

Here I am on try #4 and thinking...maybe I should cut back. Not so much for the fear of low birth weight but more because I'm thinking "is this having an effect?"


Interesting article.

Re: Caffeine Article from Yesterday's Star Ledger

Thanks for posting this. I LOVE my coffee but when I got pregnant with my DD I suddenly stopped drinking it - couldnt finish a cup and then didnt like the taste of all - DD was a surprise and this was my first inkling that something was up. I gave up drinking coffee once my pregnancy was confirmed and I didnt drink coffee for her first year as I was EBF.

I am drinking coffee now even though we are ttc #2 but plan on giving it up when and if I get pregnant.

Re: Caffeine Article from Yesterday's Star Ledger

I really only strongly consider studies done in our own country, but that's just my opinion. I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but when I want it, I have it. I was the same when I was preggo with DS and I plan on having some coffee this time around too. Aside from people I know who were VERY early, I don't know of anyone personally whose child has even been under 6lbs.