Monday April 20, 2015 (foodconsumer.org) -- Although pre-conceptional caffeine consumption was not associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion, also known as miscarriage or pregnancy loss, intake of caffeine, which is found in coffee and tea, during early pregnancy was associated with increased risk in some studies although not all studies were consistent.

A recent prospective cohort study based on data from 5132 Danish women planning pregnancy and enrolled between 2007 and 2010 confirmed that caffeine intake during early pregnancy may increase risk of spontaneous abortion and high intake was linked to higher risk.  Among the study participants, 732 women or 14.3% experienced spontaneous abortion. The study led by K.A. Hahn from Boston University School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts confirmed that preconceptional caffeine intake was not correlated with risk of spontaneous abortion.  Numerically, preconceptional intake of greater than 300 mg of caffeine per day was found associated with a 9% increased risk, compared with intake of less than 100 mg per day, but researchers did not seem to consider the increase significant.Among pregnant women, those who had intake of 100-199, 200-299 and greater than 300 mg per day of caffeine were found 62%, 48% and 23% more likely to have a spontaneous abortion than those who had intake of less than 100 mg per day during pregnancy.It is unknown whether decaffeinated coffee has any effect on the risk of spontaneous abortion.  Coffee can be caffeinated or decaffeinated.  Caffeine can be used in sports drinks and dietary supplements.  Caffeine can also be found in tea, but it is unknown whether caffeine in tea could have any impact on the risk.An early report on the link between coffee drinking and risk of spontaneous abortion was posted here:  Drinking coffee boosts risk of spontaneous abortion.For more information on spontaneous abortion or miscarriage, read miscarriage.  (David Liu)