Re: Caffeine-miscarriage link study
From: art fougner, md (evsono@pipeline.com)
Sun Jan 27 04:07:09 2008
Caffeine warning labels on coffee cups, ala beer bottles/cans?
Art
At Sat, 26 Jan 2008, Gordon Goldman wrote:
>
>David,
>
>I agree with you, except I think this will serve another purpose;
>fodder for the litigious at heart.
>
>The coffee vendors (Seattle, Starbuck's and the like) will be the
>target of litigation for not having adequately warned their female
>clientele of the 'deadly' consequences of caffeine ingestion.
>
>And of course, the physicians will be targeted also, unless it is
>documented in the record that you specifically warned against it,
>despite the paucity of hard fact. In Missouri, we have to have the
>patient sign a statement at the onset of prenatal care, warning them
>of alcohol, tobacco and drug use. Caffeine is next.
>
>--
>Gordon M. Goldman, M.D., FACOG
>Private Practice, St. Louis, Mo.
>
>On Jan 26, 2008, at 4:33 PM, David Priver wrote:
>
>> Study linking caffeine, miscarriages flawed
>>
>> Regarding “Study reports link between caffeine use, miscarriages”
>> (News,
>> Jan. 21):
>>
>> In my view, as an OB/GYN, this is a dreadfully flawed study that will
>> serve no purpose other to further frighten pregnant women about the
>> growing volume of supposedly dangerous substances that they must
>> avoid.
>>
>> First of all, it is hopelessly unreliable to question women, often
>> months following a miscarriage, about what they did or did not consume
>> while pregnant. Secondly, women who have the most “morning sickness”
>> and, therefore, are the least likely to be consuming coffee (or nearly
>> anything else), almost never miscarry, presumably as a result of a
>> very
>> high hormone level. This reflects an association, but clearly not a
>> cause and effect relationship. Finally, it is well-established that
>> miscarriage is, with very few exceptions, caused by pregnancies
>> associated with chromosomal abnormalities, something that cannot
>> possibly be affected by he consumption of caffeine.
>>
>> As the March of Dimes spokeswoman stated while explaining why that
>> organization will now proceed to jump on this fear-inducing bandwagon,
>> “Women do need good guidance.” Indeed they do, but this study did not
>> provide it.
>>
>> DAVID PRIVER
>> San Diego
>>
--
art fougner, md
"May The Wings of Liberty Never Lose a Feather." - Jack Burton
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