4.3. Effects of caffeine on pregnant women.
Description
This article is from the Coffee and Caffeine FAQ, by Alex Lopez-Ortiz with numerous contributions by others.
4.3. Effects of caffeine on pregnant women.
Caffeine has long been suspect of causing mal-formations in fetus, and
that it may reduce fertility rates.
These reports have proved controversial. What is known is that
caffeine does causes malformations in rats, when ingested at rates
comparable to 70 cups a day for humans. Many other species respond
equally to such large amounts of caffeine.
Data is scant, as experimentation on humans is not feasible. In any
case moderation in caffeine ingestion seems to be a prudent course for
pregnant women. Recent references are Pastore and Savitz, Case-control
study of caffeinated beverages and preterm delivery. American Journal
of Epidemiology, Jan 1995.
On men, it has been shown that caffeine reduces rates of sperm
motility which may account for some findings of reduced fertility.
Continue to:
My Books
