Maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and risk of pregnancy loss: a categorical and dose–response meta-analysis of prospective studies

What this study found

Higher maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of pregnancy loss, with the clearest excess risk at very high intake. Compared with no or very low caffeine intake, risk estimates were RR 1.40 (1.16, 1.68) for 350-699 mg/d and RR 1.72 (1.40, 2.13) for ≥700 mg/d. In the dose-response analysis, risk increased by RR 1.07 (95 % CI 1.03, 1.12) per 100 mg/d and RR 1.23 (95 % CI 1.09, 1.39) per 300 mg/d. The authors concluded that these findings support limiting caffeine intake during pregnancy, while noting that the association may still be influenced by residual…

Study & population

Systematic review and categorical plus dose-response meta-analysis of 14 prospective studies from the USA and Europe.

Intervention

This was an observational exposure meta-analysis rather than an administered intervention.

Key limitation

The evidence is observational, so causality cannot be established.

View full study detailsView sourceOpen PDF