Contrary to popular belief, caffeine is not responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Other often associated factors such as tobacco and alcohol are more to blame.
A news study conducted over twenty years in Norway on nearly 60,000 pregnant women, qualifies the recommendations concerning coffee consumption during pregnancy.
“It would seem, according to the study, that caffeine has no effect on the risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders in children,” notes David Baud, head of the obstetrics department at CHUV, at the microphone of CQFD.
No more than two to three coffees per day
However, the doctor remains cautious and always recommends moderate consumption: “We actually recommend no more than two to three coffees per day.” He points out that caffeine passes the placental barrier and accumulates in the fetus, whose liver is not yet fully functional.
The Norwegian study stands out for its scale and methodology: it not only analyzed caffeine consumption, but also other factors such as tobacco and alcohol intake. The scientists also considered the income and education of the participating women, as well as their genetic predispositions.
These results contradict current recommendations from WHO which state that consuming 300 mg of caffeine per day increases the risk of miscarriage and low birth weight. David Baud specifies that the same team had already shown in 2022 that there was no direct association between caffeine and these adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Although reassuring, these results do not encourage excessive consumption. Experts continue to recommend moderation, while emphasizing the importance of completely avoiding alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy.
Bastien Confino, Stéphane Gabioud/sjaq
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