Nutrition during pregnancy Latvia eng

 

5.8   Caffeine  

Large  quantities  of  caffeine  restrict  fetal  development,  and  it  is  recommended  that  pregnant  

women  not  exceed  200  mg/day.  The  amount  of  caffeine  in  foods  and  drinks  varies;  however,  

two   cups   of   coffee   or   four   small   mugs   of   tea   contain   200   mg   caffeine.   Caffeine-­‐containing  

energy  drinks  should  be  avoided  during  pregnancy.  

 

5.9   Alcohol    

Consumption  of  alcohol  during  pregnancy  is  harmful  for  the  fetus.  Children  heavily  exposed  to  

alcohol  antenatally  may  suffer  from  a  number  of  physical  and  mental  disorders  before  and  after  

delivery  and  during  their  life  course.  They  have  a  higher  risk  for  impaired  growth  and  may  have  

neural  disorders,  resulting  in  serious  learning  and  behavioural  problems.  Children  exposed  to  

smaller  quantities  of  alcohol  may  develop  similar  but  milder  symptoms.  

Professionals   tend   to   disagree   about   whether   drinking   small   quantities   of   alcohol   during  

pregnancy   harms   the   child.   Although   it   has   been   demonstrated   that   heavy   consumption   of  

alcohol  is  associated  with  a  high  risk  for  the  fetus,  the  “safe”  dose  of  alcohol,  which  would  not  

harm  the  child,  has  not  been  determined  or  standardized.  There  is  evidence  that  consumption  

of   more   than   one   alcoholic   drink   per   day   during   pregnancy   increases   the   risk   for   premature  

birth   and   low   birth   weight.   Therefore,   the   only   “safe”   level   is   complete   abstinence   during  

pregnancy  and  lactation.    

The  consequences  of  alcohol  consumption  depend  on  the  period  of  the  pregnancy.  During  the  

first   3   months,   the   risk   for   structural   malformations   is   increased,   whereas   later,   the   risks   for  

stunting   and   abnormal   brain   development   increase.   Reduced   IQ   has   been   observed   in  

genetically   susceptible   descendants   even   after   consumption   of   small   quantities   of   alcohol  

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during  pregnancy.  Women  who  assume  that  small  amounts  of  alcohol  will  not  harm  their  child  

may  tend  to  conceal  their  drinking,  which  may  result  in  excessive  consumption.  Doctors  should  

address  this  problem  and  clarify  the  patterns  of  use.    

In  the  present  state  of  knowledge  and  in  view  of  the  absence  of  a  safe  threshold  for  alcohol  use,  

alcohol  in  any  form  or  quantity  should  be  excluded  during  pregnancy  planning,  pregnancy  and  

lactation.