Researchers at the University of Rochester, USA, have a paper in the journal Neuropharmacology
Fetal caffeine exposure can lead to behavioral disorders in childhood, studies have shown. Photo = Yonhap News
Caffeine is a type of alkaloid (plant base) contained in the leaves, fruits, and seeds of plants such as coffee and tea, and is known to have an effect on mental arousal and fatigue.
In academia, caffeine has been reported to have a negative effect on pregnancy.
There have also been reports that the enzyme necessary to break down caffeine that has spread in the placenta is not present in the uterus.
However, studies have shown that caffeine can have a lasting effect on the development of brain neurons in fetuses.
The point is that excessive caffeine intake in pregnant women can cause changes in important brain nerve pathways in the fetus, leading to behavioral disorders in childhood.
Scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) who conducted the study submitted a related paper to the peer-reviewed scientific journal Neuropharmacology on the 8th (local time).
The research team analyzed the results of brain scans of about 9,000 children aged 9-10 years old who participated in adolescent brain cognitive development (ABCD) study at the University of Rochester.
Children exposed to caffeine through the placenta clearly had a different brain structure.
It was presumed to be the result of changes in the organizational processes of the white matter track that connects brain regions.
Scientists have identified cases of high behavioral disorders, attention disorders, and hyperactivity in these children.
However, it is not known whether the effect of caffeine on the fetus’s brain changes at the next stage in the first 3 months of pregnancy, and at what point during pregnancy these brain structures change.
In addition, the amount of caffeine intake during pregnancy, that is, the level of caffeine exposure in the fetus, was estimated based on the mother’s memory, which is considered a limitation of this study.
ABCD is the largest brain development and child health research program funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and gathers data from 21 organizations in the United States, including the URMC.
Dr. Zachary Christensen, the first author of the paper, said, “The guidelines for caffeine intake during pregnancy suggested by doctors are not to exceed two cups per day in a normal cup.” Whenever this occurs, it is better to consult with your doctor.”
“The minor effects of caffeine do not cause terrible neuropsychiatric disorders,” said Dr. John Fox, director of research at Rochester’s ABCD. said.
He added, “From the results of this study, caffeine consumption during pregnancy doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
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