Peripartum implications of caffeine intake in pregnancy: is there cause for concern?
Maternal use of "social drugs" such as caffeine, ethanol and tobacco in pregnancy is on increase- -worldwide. Caffeine is probably the most frequently ingested pharmacologically active substance in the world. It is found in common beverages (coffee, tea, soft drinks), in products containing cocoa or chocolate, and in medications. Because of its wide consumption at different levels by most segments of the population, the public and the scientific community have expressed interest in the potential for caffeine to produce adverse effects on human health. Reproductive-aged and pregnant women are 'at risk' subgroups of the population who may require specific advice on moderating their daily caffeine intake. This article highlights the implications of caffeine intake in pregnancy, reviews the latest evidence-based information available on this subject, and offers recommendations (practical advice) for anesthesiologists and obstetrician-gynecologists proving peripartum care to these potentially complicated pregnancies.
Kuczkowski
K M
KM
Department of Anesthesiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA. kmkuczkowski@gmail.com
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001628:Beverages; D002110:Caffeine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000139:chemically induced; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology
D002110:Caffeine