Caffeine to Blame for Low-Birth-Weight Babies

The World Health Organization recommends a limit of 300mg of intake of caffeine per day during pregnancy but the limit is 200mg in some of the countries. A study at the Swedish university suggests that caffeine from any source, even in the smallest quantity, reduces birth and weight of a newborn baby.

The average-expected weight of a baby is 3.6 kilograms, which on increasing caffeine intake can be reduced considerably. According to researchers of Sahlgrenska University Hospital of Sweden, 21-28 grams of body weight is lost per 100 milligrams caffeine per day.

[Read: Caffeine during Pregnancy]

Besides caffeine, the source of caffeine also affects baby and length of pregnancy.  Coffee intake increases the gestational length by 8 hours extra for every 100 milligrams of caffeine a day while other sources increased the length of the pregnancy by 5 hours per 100 milligrams caffeine per day.

[Read: How Coffee affects Reproduction]

Low birth weight is a serious concern in India; where more than 20 million infants are born each year weigh less than 2,500 grams (as per UNICEF report). Considering the risks of caffeine, India may soon have guidelines for to-be-mothers against caffeine intake.

Read more Health News