Skip to main content
Log in

Caffeine in pregnancy

  • Review
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Caffeine is probably the most frequently ingested pharmacologically active substance in the world. It is found in common beverages (coffee, tea, soft drinks), in products containing cocoa or chocolate, and in medications. Because of its wide consumption at different levels by most segments of the population, the public and the scientific community have expressed interest in the potential for caffeine to produce adverse effects on human health. Reproductive-aged and pregnant women are ‘at risk’ subgroups of the population who may require specific advice on moderating their daily caffeine intake. This article highlights the implications of caffeine intake in pregnancy, reviews the latest evidence-based information available on this subject, and offers recommendations (practical advice) for the obstetrician–gynecologists proving peripartum care to these potentially complicated pregnancies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kuczkowski KM (2007) The effects of drug abuse on pregnancy. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 19:578–585

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Kuczkowski KM (2003) Anesthetic implications of drug abuse in pregnancy. J Clin Anesth 15:382–394. doi:10.1016/S0952-8180(03)00056-4

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Kuczkowski KM (2003) Labor analgesia for the drug abusing parturient: is there cause for concern? Obstet Gynecol Surv 58:599–608. doi:10.1097/01.OGX.0000082148.97981.30

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Gowda RM, Khan IA, Mehta NJ et al (2003) Cardiac arrhythmias in pregnancy: clinical and therapeutic considerations. Int J Cardiol 88:129–133. doi:10.1016/S0167-5273(02)00601-0

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Kuczkowski KM (2003) Social drug use in the parturient: implications for the management of obstetrical anaesthesia. Med J Malaysia 58:147–154

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Nawrot P, Jordan S, Eastwood J et al (2003) Effects of caffeine on human health. Food Addit Contam 20:1–30. doi:10.1080/0265203021000007840

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Higdon JV, Frei B (2006) Coffee and health: a review of recent human research. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 46:101–123. doi:10.1080/10408390500400009

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Grosso LM, Bracken MB (2005) Caffeine metabolism, genetics, and perinatal outcomes: a review of exposure assessment considerations during pregnancy. Ann Epidemiol 15:460–466. doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2004.12.011

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Boylan SM, Cade JE, Kirk SF et al (2008) Assessing caffeine exposure in pregnant women. Br J Nutr 100:875–882. doi:10.1017/S0007114508939842

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Boylan S, Cade JE, Dolby VA et al (2008) Maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and risk of fetal growth restriction: a large prospective observational study. BMJ 3(337):a2332

    Google Scholar 

  11. Bech BH, Obel C, Henriksen TB, Olsen J (2007) Effect of reducing caffeine intake on birth weight and length of gestation: randomised controlled trial. BMJ 334(7590):409

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Oei SG, Vosters RPL, Van der Hagen NLJ (1989) Fetal arrhythmias caused by excessive intake of caffeine by pregnant women. BMJ 298:568–569

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Fernandez O, Sbharrval M, Smiley G et al (1998) Moderate to heavy caffeine consumption during pregnancy and relationship to spontaneous abortion and abnormal fetal growth: a meta-analysis. Reprod Toxicol 12:434–444

    Google Scholar 

  14. Marret S, Gressens P, Van-Maele-Fabry G et al (1997) Caffeine-induced disturbance of early neurogenesis in whole mouse embryo cultures. Brain Res 773:213–216. doi:10.1016/S0006-8993(97)00938-4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Weng X, Odouli R, Li DK (2008) Maternal caffeine consumption during pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage: a prospective cohort study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 198(3):279.e1–8

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Browne ML, Bell EM, Druschel CM (2007) Maternal caffeine consumption and risk of cardiovascular malformations. Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol 79:533–543. doi:10.1002/bdra.20365

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest statement

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Krzysztof M. Kuczkowski.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kuczkowski, K.M. Caffeine in pregnancy. Arch Gynecol Obstet 280, 695–698 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-009-0991-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-009-0991-6

Keywords

Navigation