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This research project will address the issue of whether high maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy leads to an increased incidence of low birth weight babies.
<p>This study will be carried out simultaneously in Leeds and Leicester. Each site will recruit about 1500 pregnant women (3,000 in total).
<p>It is estimated that about 300 (10%) of the women will deliver low birth weight babies.
<p>Caffeine consumption during pregnancy will be determined by measuring caffeine and its metabolites in urine and saliva, in conjunction with information from a specially designed caffeine assessment questionnaire and diet recalls.
It has been suggested that higher caffeine intakes may carry an increased risk of both spontaneous miscarriage and low birth weight.
<p>However, previous research has been hampered by difficulties in obtaining accurate measurements of caffeine intake and assessment of individual differences in caffeine metabolism.
<p>This study is of importance as it links, for the first time, accurate estimates of caffeine intake, interindividual variations in caffeine metabolism and pregnancy outcome.
<p>The research will help to reduce uncertainties in the current risk assessment and provide a robust basis for the Agency's advice to pregnant women on caffeine consumption.
<p>Unlike much of the previous research into the possible effects of caffeine on reproductive health, this study is prospective.
<p>It includes biomarkers of caffeine intake and explores interindividual variations in caffeine metabolism. In addition it will consider all sources of caffeine intake, not just tea and coffee.
<p>This project is a collaboration between the Universities of Leeds (T01033) and Leicester (T01032).
<p>Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/" target="_blank">Food Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.