New Study: Coffee During Pregnancy Doesn’t Harm Baby’s Brain
A new study led by the University of Queensland has found no significant evidence linking coffee consumption during pregnancy to neurodevelopmental issues in children. However, researchers still urge pregnant women to follow medical advice regarding caffeine intake.
The study, led by Dr. Gunn-Helen Moen and PhD candidate Shannon D’Urso from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), conducted a comprehensive genetic analysis of data from tens of thousands of Norwegian families.
“Norway is known for its high coffee consumption, with many people drinking at least four cups daily, even during pregnancy,” Dr. Moen noted.
The research analyzed genetic data from mothers, fathers, and their children, alongside questionnaires about parental coffee consumption both before and during pregnancy. Parents also provided information about their children’s development up to the age of eight, including social, motor, and language skills.
“Our findings showed no link between coffee intake during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental issues in children,” said Dr. Moen.
Caffeine’s ability to cross the placenta and reach the developing fetus has raised concerns, as the fetus cannot metabolize caffeine effectively. Previous studies suggested that this may affect brain development, but Dr. Moen pointed out that these studies didn’t fully account for other factors such as smoking, alcohol, or diet.
The research team applied a method called Mendelian randomization, which uses genetic markers to predict coffee drinking habits and distinguish the effects of various factors during pregnancy. This approach allowed them to isolate caffeine’s impact from other environmental influences.
“Mendelian randomization gives us a clearer picture by separating the effects of caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and diet,” Dr. Moen explained. “This way, we can focus solely on caffeine’s impact during pregnancy without the risk of exposing mothers and babies to harmful conditions.”
Dr. Moen had previously led research that found no link between coffee consumption during pregnancy and risks such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or low birth weight.
The team continues to recommend that pregnant women follow healthcare guidelines on caffeine intake, as excessive caffeine may influence other pregnancy outcomes.
The study, conducted in collaboration with researchers from Norway, England, and UQ’s IMB, used data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). The findings were published in Psychological Medicine.
