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Globally, it has been estimated in studies that 15.5% of total infants are born with low birth weight, which is less than 2.5 kg. The reason for this is only associated with neonatal mortality and morbidity but also with other factors like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases in adult life and caffeine intake by Pregnant women. It has been concluded by authors in their findings, that even moderate caffeine consumption may be associated with decreased growth of the fetus. These findings suggest to restrict caffeine intake to low amount during pregnancy. 

What is caffeine?

Many beverages and foods like coffee, tea, soft drinks, cocoa etc. contains caffeine, which is a drug and it is a stimulant which makes people awake and active, by stimulating the brain and central nervous system and also prevent the onset of tiredness. Research found it as one of the most commonly used ingredients in the world and presently data suggest that 80% of the world’s population consumes a caffeinated product each day, and increased to 90% for adults in North America. 

What foods and drinks contain caffeine?

Caffeine is found in: 

• Coffee and coffee-flavored products, like yogurt and ice cream 
• Tea
• Cocoa
• Chocolate and chocolate products
• Some soft drinks and Energy drinks
• Some medicines which are used for cold, pain relief, migraine headaches etc. 

Harmful effect of maternal caffeine intake on baby

Research shows that, caffeine is used commonly as a psychoactive substance and its consumption, cause rapid absorption and readily passes the placental barrier.  Coffee is one of the most common sources of high caffeine intake. Too much caffeine has many negative effects on babies after or before birth like miscarriage (when a baby dies in the womb before 20 weeks of pregnancy), preterm birth (birth that happens before 37 weeks of pregnancy is completed) or low birth weight (when a baby is born with a weight less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces). Some studies found it true, but others disagree.

Studies found that the enzyme (cytochrome P450 1A2), which metabolize caffeine, are absent in placenta and the fetus, which leads to its accumulation in fetal tissue. Reports also suggest that the caffeine exposure to fetus can lead to vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessel) in the uterus and placenta, which may in turn, affect fetal growth and development and cause disruption of fetal stress hormone, increasing the risk of rapid weight gain in infants after birth and obesity, diabetes and heart problem later in their life.

Previous studies have also found that high caffeine consumption (more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day) during pregnancy, have found increased risks for low birth weight and other poor birth outcomes but many studies have found no links based on it. Women's who consumed about 50 milligrams of caffeine a day (equivalent to a half cup of coffee) had infants 66 grams (about 2.3 ounces) lighter than infants born to non-caffeine women’s and also smaller in size, as shown in research.

Recently research shows that mother who were taking two cups of coffee, will give birth to a baby with reduced birth size and lean body mass showing birth risk. These infants with smaller size are at higher risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease in future. When compared, women consuming caffeine give birth to infant with 84 grams lighter (about 3 ounces), were .44 centimeters shorter and had head circumferences .28 centimeters smaller (about .11 inches) than those women who were on no caffeine. 

The Bottom Line

Today, caffeine consumption has been increased worldwide. Current evidence shows conflicting reports on caffeine consumption during pregnancy, so it is advisable, until more results are available, women’s needs to consult their doctor about their caffeine consumption during pregnancy, as said by Dr. Grantz said.

According to The UK Food Standards Agency, pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams each day to reduce the risk of pregnancy loss and low birth weight neonates. According to The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) caffeine consumption is safe up to 200 mg per day in pregnant women.