Maternal caffeine intake and its effects on pregnancy outcomes

7. december 2011
M Jarosz et al, Maternal caffeine intake and its effects on pregnancy outcomes, European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 2011, Article in Press

ABSTRACT
Objective: Estimation of the maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and its influence on pregnancy duration, birthweight and Apgar score of the newborn. Study design: The research was conducted on pregnant women who gave birth at the Clinic of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Oncology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw. It covered unifetal pregnancies without diseases (N = 509). Research data were collected by direct questionnaire supplemented with data from patients’ records. Statistical analysis employed a multivariate logistic regression model and a non-parametric Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Results: 98.4% of pregnant women consume no more than 300 mg of caffeine per day. Pregnant women who smoke and older women consume more caffeine than non-smokers and younger women [β1.95 (95% CI: 1.02–2.88)] and [β 0.68 (95% CI: 0.05–1.3)] respectively. There is no association between maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and the risk of premature birth, the birthweight or the Apgar score of newborns. Conclusion: Caffeine intake of no more than 300 mg per day during pregnancy does not affect pregnancy duration and the condition of the newborn.