Effect of reducing caffeine intake on birth weight and length of gestation: randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the effect of reducing caffeine intake during pregnancy on birth weight and length of gestation.


METHODS
Randomised double blind controlled trial.


METHODS
Denmark.


METHODS
1207 pregnant women drinking at least three cups of coffee a day, recruited before 20 weeks' gestation.


METHODS
Caffeinated instant coffee (568 women) or decaffeinated instant coffee (629 women).


METHODS
Birth weight and length of gestation.


RESULTS
Data on birth weight were obtained for 1150 liveborn singletons and on length of gestation for 1153 liveborn singletons. No significant differences were found for mean birth weight or mean length of gestation between women in the decaffeinated coffee group (whose mean caffeine intake was 182 mg lower than that of the other group) and women in the caffeinated coffee group. After adjustment for length of gestation, parity, prepregnancy body mass index, and smoking at entry to the study the mean birth weight of babies born to women in the decaffeinated group was 16 g (95% confidence interval -40 to 73) higher than those born to women in the caffeinated group. The adjusted difference (decaffeinated group-caffeinated group) of length of gestation was -1.31 days (-2.87 to 0.25).


CONCLUSIONS
A moderate reduction in caffeine intake in the second half of pregnancy has no effect on birth weight or length of gestation.


BACKGROUND
Clinical Trials NCT00131690 [ClinicalTrials.gov].
Bech
Bodil Hammer
BH
Institute of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, University of Aarhus, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark. bhb@soci.au.dk
Obel
Carsten
C
Henriksen
Tine Brink
TB
Olsen
Jørn
J
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003069:Coffee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
D003069:Coffee; D002110:Caffeine