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Objective: The aim of the study was to compare caffeine and paraxanthine concentrations in venous blood of pregnant women and in the umbilical cord blood of their newborns., Materials and Methods: Pregnant women who gave birth at the Clinic of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Oncology 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw were included in the study Caffeine and paraxanthine concentrations were analyzed in 30 samples of venous blood serum drawn from the women before delivery and 30 samples of umbilical cord blood serum of their newborns. Caffeine intake in the last 24 hours before delivery was estimated using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis employed a linear logistic regression model, Wilcoxon rank sum test and a non-parametric Spearman's rank correlation coefficient., Results: No difference was found between caffeine concentration in maternal venous blood and neonatal umbilical cord blood. However; paraxanthine level in venous blood was higher than in umbilical cord blood (p = 0.04)., Conclusions: Caffeine consumed by a pregnant woman passes through the placenta to the fetus freely.

Objective: Estimation of the maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and its influence on pregnancy duration, birthweight and Apgar score of the newborn., Study Design: The research was conducted on pregnant women who gave birth at the Clinic of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Oncology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw. It covered unifetal pregnancies without diseases (N=509). Research data were collected by direct questionnaire supplemented with data from patients' records. Statistical analysis employed a multivariate logistic regression model and a non-parametric Spearman's rank correlation coefficient., Results: 98.4% of pregnant women consume no more than 300 mg of caffeine per day. Pregnant women who smoke and older women consume more caffeine than non-smokers and younger women [β 1.95 (95% CI: 1.02-2.88)] and [β 0.68 (95% CI: 0.05-1.3)] respectively. There is no association between maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and the risk of premature birth, the birthweight or the Apgar score of newborns., Conclusion: Caffeine intake of no more than 300 mg per day during pregnancy does not affect pregnancy duration and the condition of the newborn., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)