Consumo de cafeína y anomalías congénitas: Revisión sistemática

Abstract

Introduction: Caffeine consumption produces effects on the fetus during pregnancy; however, the relationship between these changes and the appearance of congenital malformations is not entirely clear. Therefore, early detection of caffeine consumption in all pregnant women and women of childbearing age is encouraged to limit its consumption and prevent malformations. Objective: To determine the association between caffeine consumption during pregnancy and congenital anomalies. Methodology: A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA 2020 statement. For this purpose, the search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The articles were selected using eligibility criteria, and the risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. Results: The results indicate that coffee consumption is associated with oral and craniofacial malformations, although some studies did not find this relationship. Adverse effects of caffeine on fetal blood flow, metabolism, increased amniotic fluid volume, cardiac and genital abnormalities, and low birth weight were also identified; however, other studies did not observe adverse effects with low doses of caffeine. Furthermore, coffee consumption has been associated with decreased fetal bone density and neurological alterations. Finally, although the evidence is limited, some studies suggest possible genetic alterations associated with caffeine consumption. Discussion: Pregnancy is a dynamic process influenced by internal and external factors, including diet. Some studies suggest that caffeine consumption is associated with oral and craniofacial malformations, cardiac, fetal growth, neurological, and genetic alterations. However, other studies do not find these relationships, and several present a high risk of bias. These limitations highlight the need for more rigorous and well- designed research to clarify the effects of caffeine on embryonic development.

Conclusion: The systematic review reveals that coffee consumption is associated with oral and craniofacial malformations, cardiac, vascular, and neurological alterations in fetuses, low birth weight, and decreased bone density. Although some studies found that there is no relationship with certain anomalies and that low doses of caffeine seem not to have negative effects, the general evidence suggests possible risks for embryonic development.