WASHINGTON D.C. (USA): Caffeine has always been related to various health complications for an adult. However, turns out, it affects the unborn child of caffeine consumers as well.According to an observational study, exposure to moderate to high caffeine levels while in the womb is linked to excess weight gain in early childhood.The findings which back general advice to limit caffeine intake while pregnant , prompted the researchers to query whether mums-to-be should cut out the world's most widely consumed central nervous system stimulant altogether.Caffeine passes rapidly through tissues, including the placenta and takes the body longer to get rid of during pregnancy. It has been linked to a heightened risk of miscarriage and restricted fetal growth.The researchers wanted to try and find out if caffeine intake during pregnancy might also be associated with excess weight gain in the child's early years. They, therefore, drew on just under 51,000 mother and infant pairs.At 22 weeks of pregnancy, the mums-to-be were asked to quantify their food and drink intake from among 255 items, including caffeine, using a specially adapted Food Frequency Questionnaire.Sources of caffeine included coffee , black tea, caffeinated soft/energy drinks, chocolate, chocolate milk, sandwich spreads; and desserts, cakes and sweets.Their children's weight, height, and body length were subsequently measured at 11 time points: when they were 6 weeks old; at 3, 6, 8, and 12 months; and then at 1.5, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8 years of age.Excess weight gain was assessed using World Health Organization criteria, while overweight and obesity were assessed according to International Obesity Task Force criteria. "The results add supporting evidence for the current advice to reduce caffeine intake during pregnancy and indicate that complete avoidance might actually be advisable," the researchers added.The study appeared in the online journal BMJ Open.

Source: Economic Times April 24, 2018 06:45 UTC