Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2016; 76 - FV034
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1593271

Caffeine intake during pregnancy and early growth and obesity in childhood

E Papadopoulou 1, AL Brantsæter 1, M Haugen 1, HM Meltzer 1, B Jacobsson 2, 3, A Elfvin 4, V Sengpiel 2
  • 1Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Department of Exposure and Risk Assessment, Division of Environmental Medicine, Oslo, Norwegen
  • 2Sahlgrenska Academy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Göteborg, Schweden
  • 3Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Department of Genes and Environment, Division of Epidemiology, Oslo, Norwegen
  • 4Sahlgrenska Academy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Gothenburg University, Department of Pediatrics, Göteborg, Schweden

Background: Previously we reported that caffeine intake during pregnancy was associated with higher risk for small for gestational age (SGA). SGA has been associated with catch-up growth and obesity during childhood.

Aims: To investigate the association between prenatal caffeine intake and early growth and obesity in childhood.

Methods: Our study includes 48,791 full-term, singleton pregnancies from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. Total caffeine intake was calculated from a validated food-frequency questionnaire answered in mid-pregnancy. Caffeine intake was categorized to “average” (< 200 mg/day), “high” (200 – 300 mg/day) and “very high” intake (300 mg/day). Mothers reported child's weight from 6 months to 8 years. Early growth was evaluated by WHO weight-for-age z-scores. A z-score-increase of > 0.67 from birth to 6 months was defined as “catch-up growth”. A body mass index > 85th percentile at 7 – 8 years was defined as overweight/obese.

Results: By category of caffeine intake, 17%, 18% and 21% of children had catch-up growth. Children born to mothers with high and very high intake had 18% (OR:1.18, 95% CI: 1.07 – 1.30) and 24% higher adjusted risk (OR:1.24, 95% CI: 1.08 – 1.44) of catch-up growth. The prevalence of overweight/obesity at 7 – 8 years increased by 5% from average to very high intake. Children born to mothers with very high intake had 23% higher adjusted risk of overweight/obesity (OR:1.23, 95% CI: 1.01 – 1.50) compared to average intake.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that high prenatal caffeine intake may change the normal growth trajectory of the child and be related to childhood obesity; outcomes that have been associated with poorer health later in life.