This archive report was first published on 25 August 2020.
Scientists are calling for a revision of health guidelines to advise pregnant women to limit their caffeine intake to zero.
According to a study published in the BMJ Evidence Based Medicine, caffeine consumption in any amount during pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes for the baby, including miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, and childhood acute leukaemia.
Researchers analyzed 1,261 peer-reviewed articles linking caffeine to pregnancy outcomes and found that maternal caffeine consumption was associated with increased risk for these adverse outcomes.
Dr. Mary Ross-Davie, of the Royal College of Midwives, said that midwives will support women in making informed choices about their diet and drink during pregnancy, taking into account the latest research.
However, not all experts agree that pregnant women should completely cut out caffeine. Daghni Rajasingam, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said that while high levels of caffeine during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage and low birth weight, the risks are extremely small, even if the recommended caffeine limits are exceeded.
