Deleterious consequences of caffeine consumption during pregnancy

Who doesn’t appreciate a little caffeine pick-me-up now and then? If you’re pregnant, though, it remains unclear if the stimulant is safe for the fetus. Dr. Stefania Zappettini’s research could clarify that. Her lab discovered that, in mice, caffeine exposure led to seizures and long-term cognitive problems in offspring. Now, she aims to reveal more precisely how caffeine may affect the wiring of the developing brain—important information for public health, especially concerning the next generation.