Association between Caffeine Consumption in Pregnancy and Low Birth Weight and Preterm Birth in the birth Cohort of Ribeirão Preto

Abstract

Objective To describe caffeine consumption during pregnancy and its association with low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth in the birth cohort of Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil, in 2010. Methods Cohort study, with descriptive and analytical approach. Data included 7,607 women and their newborns in Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The women answered standardized questionnaires about reproductive health, prenatal care, life habits, sociodemographic conditions, and information about coffee intake. The independent variable was high caffeine consumption (≥300 mg/day) from coffee during pregnancy, and the dependent variables were LBW (birth weight < 2,500 g) and preterm birth (< 37 weeks of gestational age). Four adjusted polytomous logistic regression models, relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were fitted: biological and sociodemographic conditions; obstetric history; current gestational conditions; and all variables included in the previous models. Results A total of 4,908 (64.5%) mothers consumed caffeine, 143 (2.9%) of whom reported high consumption. High caffeine intake was significantly associated with reduced education and with the occupation of the head of the family, nonwhite skin color, not having a partner, higher parity, previous abortion and preterm birth, urinary tract infection, threatened abortion, alcohol consumption and smoking. No association was found between high caffeine consumption and LBW or preterm birth in both unadjusted (RR = 1.45; 95% CI: 0.91–2.32; and RR = 1.16; 95% CI: 0.77–1.75, respectively) and adjusted analyses (RR = 1.42; 95% CI: 0.85–2.38; and RR = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.65–1.63, respectively). Conclusion In this cohort, high caffeine intake was lower than in other studies and no association with LBW or preterm birth was found.

Effects of excessive tea consumption on pregnancy weight gain and neonatal birth weight

“…The incidence of excessive tea consumption (≥1,500 mL/ day) in our sample was low (4.13%). Some scientists published further lower incidence of excessive tea consumption than what we have found (2.9%) in contrast to other scientists who documented a higher level of excessive tea drinking than our result (8.3%) [16,17]. These lower and higher rates were linked to caffeine consumption from sources not limited to tea, such as coffee.…”

Caffeine, Alcohol and Tobacco Pattern Use and Risk Factors in Use Risk During Pregnancy in the Middle Zone of Northeastern Thailand

“…That three out of five pregnant women currently using caffeine was similar to previous studies by Vitti et al (17) , but less than Jarosz, Wierzejska and Siuba (18) who found 98.4% of pregnant women using caffeine. The percentage of pregnant women was higher than sixty percent in many countries because this substance use was thought to have little effect, although use can cause fetal loss.…”

Caffeine Intake During Pregnancy and Neonatal Anthropometric Parameters

“…In a study from Ireland, a daily increase in caffeine intake by 100 mg resulted in a decrease in neonatal weight (by 72 g), length (by 0.3 cm), and head circumference (by 0.12 cm) [38]. On the other hand, a study from Brazil revealed no relationship between high caffeine intake (≥300 mg) and low-birth-weight (LBW) neonates [39]. In light of the recent meta-analyses, Rhee et al in their meta-analysis of eight cohort and four case-control studies concluded that high maternal intake of caffeine increases the risk for LBW neonate by 38% [7], while Greenwood et al, in their meta-analysis of 26 cohort and 27 case-control studies, found that increased caffeine intake (by 100 mg) results in higher risk (by 7%) for LBW neonate [15].…”

“…Nonetheless, drinking coffee and tea is a common component of many individuals’ eating habits and it should not be problematic to recall the frequency of their consumption, even from the time perspective. Also, caffeine intake might have been different throughout the pregnancy, although various studies reported lack of significant differences between caffeine intake and pregnancy trimesters [9,39]. Furthermore, the questionnaire did not include information about other sources of caffeine, such as soft drinks, but many authors have previously reported that coffee and tea are the sources of over 80% of the caffeine in the diets of pregnant women [1,22,38].…”