Coffee during pregnancy: a reproductive hazard?

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Public Health
• Toxicology

Background:

• Coffee is a globally consumed beverage with potential public health implications.
• Caffeine's teratogenic effects in animals since 1960 raise concerns for pregnant women.
• Existing human studies on birth defects and coffee consumption are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between coffee consumption during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes.
• To determine if coffee intake increases the risk of birth defects, spontaneous abortion, or impacts infant birth weight.
• To provide evidence-based guidance for pregnant women regarding coffee consumption.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis of human studies on coffee consumption and pregnancy outcomes.
• Analysis of epidemiological data on birth defects, birth weight, spontaneous abortion, and conception time.
• Assessment of caffeine's known teratogenic effects in animal models.

Main Results:

• Overall human studies do not support coffee as a likely human teratogen.
• Consumption of three or more cups of coffee daily may be associated with a modest reduction in infant birth weight.
• Research on coffee consumption and spontaneous abortion or delayed conception remains inconclusive.

Conclusions:

• Moderate coffee consumption during pregnancy does not appear to pose a significant risk for birth defects.
• High coffee intake (≥3 cups/day) warrants caution due to potential effects on infant birth weight.
• Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between coffee consumption and spontaneous abortion or fertility.