Teratogenic Effects of Alcohol in Humans and Laboratory Animals

Abstract

The teratogenicity of alcohol has been demonstrated in humans through clinical studies, behavioral studies, and epidemiologic studies, and in animals through controlled laboratory experiments. In humans exposed to alcohol during gestation the effects can range from fetal alcohol syndrome in some offspring of chronic alcoholic women to reduced average birth weight in offspring of women reporting an average consumption of two to three drinks or more per day. The behavioral effects of such exposure may range from mental retardation in children with fetal alcohol syndrome to milder developmental and behavioral effects in infants born to social drinkers. In animals, exposure to alcohol in utero may result in death, malformation, and growth deficiency as well as behavioral and developmental abnormalities. The mechanisms of impairment and related risk factors are yet to be elucidated.

In vivo ethanol decreases phosphorylated MAPK and p70S6 kinase in the developing rat brain

“…Offspring of alcoholics often present a syndrome (fetal alcohol syndrome, FAS) whose principal features include CNS dysfunctions (microencephaly, mental retardation, brain malformations), growth deficiency and particular facial features [1]. The CNS deficits of FAS are of particular concern, as they are longlasting and persisting in adulthood [2,3].…”

Developmental Neuropathology of Environmental Agents

“…craniofacial dysmorphologies; and, in particular, CNS dysfunctions, such as microencephaly, brain malformations, mental retardation, and other behavioral abnormalities (147,148). In several cases, full-blown FAS may not be present, as evidenced by a lack of characteristic facial features; yet, CNS defects may still be present, and these alcohol-affected children have been classified as alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD) and alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders (ARND) (149).…”

Prevention: Rhetoric and Reality

“…Excess alcohol intake in pregnancy can result in the fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), manifested by growth retardation, craniofacial and cardiac anomalies and abnormalities in the central nervous system (Streissguth et al 1980). In addition, alcohol abuse is associated with fetal wastage, low birth weight and congenital anomalies short of the full syndrome (Sokol et al 1980).…”