ABSTRACT
Objetive: To identify caffeine sources and the relationship between socioeconomic, anthropometric, obstetric and lifestyle factors and caffeine consumption during the year before pregnancy, plus its modification during the first half of pregnancy.
Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out among 1,175 pregnant women. Information was obtained by personal interview. Polytomous regression model was used to identify factors associated with high consumption of caffeine (>200 mg of caffeine a day).
Results: During the first half of pregnancy 95.3% of pregnant women consumed caffeine, with an average intake of 72.6 mg/day (DE 92.7), whereas pre-pregnancy averaged 150.1 mg/day (DE 141.1). The 9.9% having high consumption, which after adjusting for other variables, showed associations with primary education, smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy, and more number of previous spontaneous abortions and children alive. An increase in the consumption of decaffeinated coffee (16.5%) and diet caffeinated cola drinks (3.8%) was observed with respect to the previous year and, as was a reduced intake of coffee (36.2%) and cola drinks (30.2%).
Conclusion: Caffeine consumption during pregnancy is widespread; and high consumption is associated with women using tobacco and alcohol, a lower educational level, and higher parity as well as more previous spontaneous abortions.
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