Taking caffeine during pregnancy 'can be assured'

A Danish study found that women who drink moderate amounts of coffee during pregnancy should be assured that they are not increasing risks for their children. Previous research found that too much caffeine intake could increase the risk of premature birth and a very small baby.

But the British Medical Journal study found no difference between women who drank moderate caffeine and non-caffeine intake. Pregnant women in the UK are advised to drink no more than 300mg of caffeine a day.

This is equal to three cups of ' instant drink ' in a day, 6 cups of tea or 8 cans of cola of 40mg or 8 chocolate bars weighing 40mg. The Food Standards Agency advises that using a piece of chocolate, drinking three cups of tea, a can of cola and a cup of ' instant drink ' in one day will meet the limit of 300mg.

Blind eating

Researchers at Aarhus University followed 1,207 healthy pregnant women who had a high caffeine intake, more than three cups of coffee a day.

Pregnant women are advised not to use more than three cups of coffee a day.

All were pregnant for less than 20 weeks when they participated in the study. Half of those women were given regular coffee and half a cup of non-caffeine, so researchers could assess who was at risk for preterm birth and had smaller babies.

There are no women as well as researchers - coffee-makers know what kind is being offered. Each woman was also asked to check whether they drank other caffeinated drinks, such as tea and cola. Pregnancy and birth weight are also recorded.

Age, weight before pregnancy and smoking habits are also considered. It was found that there was no clear difference in gestation time or weight of newborns holding two groups. Women using caffeine-free caffeine absorbed 182 grams less caffeine than those who consumed caffeine.

Among women who drank caffeine-containing coffee, 4.2% of babies were born prematurely and 4.5% were small compared to pregnancy. In the group drinking caffeine-containing coffee, 5.2% of babies were born prematurely and 4.7% were underweight.

There is almost no difference between the average weight of babies in each group. The researchers said that the lower intake of caffeine during the later stages of pregnancy did not affect the weight of the child when it was born and the length of pregnancy. However, they also said that any effects during the first half of pregnancy were not found in their study.

"Don't stop drinking"

Dr Bodil Hammer Bech, who led the study, said: 'In general, we have not found any effect of moderate caffeine absorption on infant weight and gestation duration.'

'In the second analysis, however, we found that caffeine can make caffeine lower the weight of children in smokers.'

She added: 'I think a moderate amount of caffeine does not harm the fetus. So if a pregnant woman likes caffeinated coffee, I think she should enjoy a cup! '

A spokeswoman for the Food Standards Agency said the agency will review the study in detail.

She added: 'The results of this study are also consistent with the advice of the Food Standards Agency, that pregnant women should not consume more than 300mg of caffeine a day (nearly 3 cups of instant coffee). . The Food Standards Agency has also commissioned further research regarding the health effects of caffeine during pregnancy. The reporting period for this project is summer 2007. '

Sue Macdonald, manager of education and research at the ' midwife ' training college of the Royal Family, said: 'This is a very interesting study and may be helpful in providing information to women. pregnant women about healthy lifestyles and pregnancy. '

She advised women to always ask their " midwife " for the latest advice on issues related to things they can eat and drink during pregnancy. She added: 'Ensure a balanced intake of water, juice, and / or herbal teas is considered better than drinking too much coffee, tea and carbon-containing drinks and especially with Street.'

Thien Kim