Alcohol Exposure In Utero and Child Academic Achievement

Abstract

We examine the effect of prenatal alcohol exposure on child academic achievement. We use a genetic variant in the maternal alcohol-metabolism gene ADH1B to instrument for alcohol exposure, whilst controlling for the child's genotype on the same variant. We show that the instrument is unrelated to an extensive range of parental characteristics and behaviour. OLS regressions suggest an ambiguous association between alcohol exposure and attainment but there is a strong social gradient in drinking, with mothers in higher socio-economic groups more likely to drink. In contrast to the OLS, the IV estimates show clear negative effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.

Has the leaning tower of presumed health benefits from ‘moderate’ alcohol use finally collapsed?

“…Other MR studies have similarly contradicted findings from previous observational studies relevant to alcohol use, including outcomes as diverse as cognitive function , children's academic achievement , balance and blood pressure , all finding no protective effect from low‐dose alcohol.…”

Parental Alcohol Misuse and Children

“…28,29 Studies using different methods, have found drinking at low-moderate levels (between 1-6 units per week) is linked to small decreases in child IQ, educational attainment and behavioural scores compared to not drinking at all during pregnancy. 30,31,32 The strongest evidence is for an increased risk of pre-term birth and low birthweight for mothers that drink more than one unit a week. 33…”

Screening for Alcohol Use in Pregnancy: a Review of Current Practices and Perspectives

“…For example, the prevalence of alcohol use among pregnant Inuit women in northern Quebec, Canada, was over 6 times higher as compared to that observed in the general population of Canada (60.5% vs 10%, respectively) (Fraser et al, 2012 ). Among women who consumed alcohol in pregnancy in the UK, binge drinking was reported to be more common among women of lower socioeconomic status (SES) (Scholder et al, 2014 ).…”