Computerized cardiotocography and fetal heart response to maternal coffee intake: a prospective study

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Fetal Monitoring
• Perinatal Medicine

Background:

• Assessing the impact of maternal lifestyle choices on fetal well-being is crucial.
• Caffeine is a common substance consumed during pregnancy with potential effects on fetal development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of maternal caffeine consumption on fetal heart rate (FHR) parameters.
• To analyze FHR using computerized cardiotocography (cCTG) in pregnant women with varying coffee intake.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 134 pregnant women undergoing antepartum cCTG was divided into coffee and control groups.
• Maternal coffee habits were recorded, and cCTG parameters were compared between groups.
• Demographic and obstetric characteristics were analyzed for comparability.

Main Results:

• The coffee group (n=82) showed a slightly lower mean FHR baseline (135±9.9 bpm) compared to the control group (n=52, 138±8.0 bpm, P=0.03).
• No statistically significant differences were observed in other cCTG parameters between the groups.
• Multivariate analysis and subanalyses on coffee quantity or caffeine half-life did not reveal confounding effects.

Conclusions:

• Maternal caffeine consumption, specifically from coffee, did not demonstrate a significant impact on fetal cardiac reactivity.
• The observed minor difference in FHR baseline was not clinically significant and not influenced by the amount of coffee consumed.