Caffeine contributes to miscarriages
By Desiree' Knight
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Staff Writer
Recent scientific research shows caffeine could lead to a miscarriage, defined as a pregnancy loss before 20 weeks gestation. While a woman may not have to cut it completely out of her diet, its intake may need to be reduced during pregnancy.
According to an article published in "Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology," expectant mothers who drank 200 milligrams or more of caffeine per day had about twice the miscarriage risk as women who drank none. Women who reported drinking less than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day were 40 percent more likely to miscarry than women who said they drank no caffeinated beverages.
"My suggestion is women who are pregnant and women who are trying to become pregnant should consider stopping caffeine entirely," stated Dr. De- Kun Li, lead author and investigator with the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research.
The Kaiser study, on the CNN website, looked at 1,063 women in the early stage of pregnancy. Among women who consumed no caffeine, the miscarriage rate was 12.5 percent. In comparison, 22.5 percent of women who consumed more than 200mg of caffeine a day miscarried.
Some researchers claim the statistics cannot be scientifically accepted. They claim there is no significant correlation between miscarriage and caffeine consumption. However, Dr. Jennifer Wu, a New York obstetrician, says the research is "accurate and has found a definitive correlation between caffeine consumption and miscarriage."
According to Li, caffeine can cross through the placenta to the fetus and make it difficult for the fetus to metabolize the caffeine. Caffeine may slow cell development as well as reduce blood flow to the placenta, which can result in miscarriage.
Researchers hope this study will raise awareness on the issue.
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