Study into coffee 'link' to childhood leukaemia

Published on Sunday 25 January 2009 20:59

A POSSIBLE link between drinking coffee during pregnancy and childhood leukaemia is to be investigated by British scientists.

Experts believe caffeine may damage the DNA of unborn children and make them more susceptible to the disease. Previous research has shown caffeine can induce changes to DNA which reduce the ability of cells to withstand cancer triggers such as radiation.

Changes of this kind have been seen in the blood cells of children with leukaemia. Scientists have determined they occur before birth in the womb – but no-one knows why.

Dr Marcus Cooke, from the University of Leicester, who is leading the research, said: "It's been known for years that caffeine enhances the effects of DNA-damaging agents.

"We're putting two and two together and saying: 'caffeine can induce these changes, and it has been shown these changes are elevated in leukaemia patients. I wonder if caffeine can somehow sensitise cells or increase the risk of leukaemia?' The idea seems plausible."

Dr Cooke's team is undertaking a year-long pilot study working with a group of 1,340 pregnant women.