Effects of restricted caffeine intake by mother on fetal, neonatal and pregnancy outcome.
BACKGROUND
Maternal caffeine consumption during pregnancy may have adverse effects on fetal, neonatal and maternal outcomes.


OBJECTIVE
This review investigates the effects of restricting caffeine intake by mothers on fetal, neonatal and pregnancy outcomes.


METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (December 2008), scanned bibliographies of published studies and corresponded with investigators.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trials including quasi-randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of caffeine and/or supplementary caffeine versus restricted caffeine intake or placebo on pregnancy outcome.


METHODS
The two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data.


RESULTS
One study met the inclusion criteria. Caffeinated instant coffee (568 women) was compared with decaffeinated instant coffee (629 women) and it was found that reducing the caffeine intake of regular coffee drinkers (3+ cups/day) during the second and third trimester by an average of 182 mg/day did not affect birthweight or length of gestation.


CONCLUSIONS
There is insufficient evidence to confirm or refute the effectiveness of caffeine avoidance on birthweight or other pregnancy outcomes. There is a need to conduct high-quality, double-blinded RCTs to determine whether caffeine has any effect on pregnancy outcome.
Department of Public Health, Royal College of Medicine Perak, No 3, Greentown Street, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia, 30450. jahanfar2000@yahoo.com
Shayesteh
S
Jahanfar
Halimah
H
Sharifah
D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003069:Coffee; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000187:drug effects*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003069:Coffee; D002110:Caffeine