Caffeine in pregnancy and IQ of preschool and school children

Women who get moderate caffeine (according to international guidelines) through coffee or chocolate can sleep soundly regarding children’s cognitive and behavioral development.

According to the study conducted by the Research Institute of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital and published in the authoritative scientific journal American Journal of Epidemiology, caffeine taken during pregnancy (in moderate quantities) does not affect the intelligence (and precisely on the IQ, IQ) of children.

In fact, there were no delays or abnormal behaviors related to caffeine intake in the amounts recommended in children between 4 and 7 years of age analyzed in the study.

Remember that moderate amounts of caffeine are less than 200 mg per day. Consumption of 200 mg or above has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage and preterm births.

Basic References

• A 200 ml cup of American coffee contains about 90 mg of caffeine
• One can of energy drink contains about 80 mg of caffeine
• One espresso (60 ml) contains 80 mg of caffeine
• A 220ml cup of tea contains about 50mg of caffeine
• One can of coke contains about 40 mg of caffeine
• A 50 g bar of dark chocolate contains about 25 mg of caffeine
• A 50 g milk chocolate bar contains about 10 mg of caffeine

These values may vary from one country to another.

The researchers evaluated a marker of caffeine present in the blood of 2,197 pregnant women who took part in the Collaborative Perinatal project, conducted in the United States between 1959 and 1974. According to the researchers, in those years the consumption of coffee during pregnancy was more widespread than today. In fact, at the time there was not all that concern about caffeine consumption as there is nowadays where mothers are very attentive (and rightly) to what they eat and drink.

The researchers examined the association between a chemical called paraxanthine, the main metabolite of caffeine, at two distinct times in pregnancy, with the intellectual and behavior levels of babies born to these mothers at 4 and 7 years of age.

No links were found between caffeine intake and parameters analyzed in children.

This study follows other research that was published in 2015 regarding the correlation between caffeine intake in pregnancy and obesity in children. Again, no links were found.