Abstract: Prenatal caffeine exposure (PCE) refers to the consumption of caffeine-rich substances including tea, coffee, cola, energy drinks, and chocolate, and certain caffeine-containing cold and pain medications during pregnancy. Current epidemiological and animal studies have revealed that even a safe dose of caffeine during pregnancy might lead to adverse effects on offspring. Improper PCE, considered an adverse environmental factor during early development, might correlate with an elevated risk of various diseases in both childhood and adulthood. Studies suggest an association between maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and an increased likelihood of offspring overweight/obesity, as well as cognitive and behavioral developmental disorders, although this association remains debated. This article reviews the impact of PCE on the long-term growth and development of children, and summarizes the potential mechanisms, offering clinical insights into the etiology of childhood overweight, obesity, and cognitive and behavioral developmental disorders.

Key words: prenatal caffeine exposure, overweight and obesity, cognitive and behavioral development, children

摘要： 孕期咖啡因暴露是指孕母在妊娠期间摄入富含咖啡因的物质,如茶、咖啡、可乐、能量饮料和巧克力等食品,或者使用一些含有咖啡因的感冒药、镇痛药。目前流行病学及动物研究揭示了孕妇在妊娠期间即使摄入安全剂量咖啡因也可能会对后代产生不良影响。不当的孕期咖啡因暴露作为生命早期的不良环境因素,可能与儿童期及成年时期多种疾病发生的风险增加有关。有研究显示妊娠期间母亲摄入咖啡因与儿童超重肥胖、认知与行为发育障碍之间存在相关性,但尚存在一定争议。该文综述了孕期咖啡因暴露对儿童长期生长发育的影响,并总结了潜在机制,为儿童超重肥胖及认知与行为发育障碍的病因研究提供了更多的临床思路。

关键词: 孕期咖啡因暴露, 超重肥胖, 认知与行为发育, 儿童