Too much caffeine could cause miscarriage

Pregnant women have been advised to avoid consuming caffeine after new research has linked it to an increased risk of miscarriage.

A new study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, has revealed that 200mg of caffeine a day doubled a woman's risk of miscarriage in comparison to a woman who did not consume any.

Currently, the Food Standards Agency's (FSA) upper limit for caffeine intake during pregnancy is 300mg, equivalent to four cups of coffee a day, reports the BBC.

However, the FSA said that its own study into the issue was almost complete and it would be reviewing its stance accordingly.

"In order to provide a more robust basis for the FSA's advice to pregnant women on caffeine consumption, an FSA-funded study, involving around 2,500 pregnant women, was commissioned in 2003," a spokesman from the FSA said.

"This is almost complete and the results will be presented to the Committee On Toxicity in closed session for consideration.

"We will ask the committee to also look at this new American study. When the committee has reached conclusions the agency will, if appropriate, revise its advice on caffeine consumption in pregnancy."

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