The effect of maternal alcohol consumption on fetal growth and preterm birth

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relationship between prenatal alcohol exposure and fetal growth and preterm birth and to estimate the effect of dose and timing of alcohol exposure in pregnancy.Design A population-based cohort study linked to birth information on the Western Australian Midwives Notification System. Setting Western Australia.Population A 10% random sample of births restricted to nonindigenous women who had delivered a singleton infant (n = 4719) in 1995-1997. MethodsThe impact of alcohol consumption in pregnancy on fetal growth (small-for-gestational-age [SGA] and large-forgestational-age infants [LGA]) and preterm birth (<37 weeks of gestation) was assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis and adjusting for confounding factors.Main outcome measures Odds ratios and 95% CI, attributable risk, and population attributable risk were calculated.Results The percentage of SGA infants and preterm birth increased with higher levels of prenatal alcohol exposure; however, the association between alcohol intake and SGA infants was attenuated after adjustment for maternal smoking. Low levels of prenatal alcohol were not associated with preterm birth; however, binge drinking resulted in a nonsignificant increase in odds. Preterm birth was associated with moderate and higher levels of prenatal alcohol consumption for the group of women who ceased drinking before the second trimester. This group of women was significantly more likely to deliver a preterm infant than women who abstained from alcohol (adjusted OR 1.73 [95% CI 1.01-3.14]).Conclusions Alcohol intake at higher levels, particularly heavy and binge drinking patterns, is associated with increased risk of preterm birth even when drinking is ceased before the second trimester. This finding, however, is based on small numbers and needs further investigation. Dose and timing of prenatal alcohol exposure appears to affect preterm delivery and should be considered in future research and health education.

Association of congenital microtia with environmental risk factors in South Korea

“…The consumption of alcohol by pregnant women is known to increase the risk of congenital malformation, commonly known as fetal alcohol syndrome, of which external ear deformity is a symptom [27][28][29]. According to previously published literature, alcohol consumption can induce underdevelopment of the upper part of the ear, commonly referred to as the railroad track appearance [30], and may be associated with the occurrence of congenital microtia [31,32].…”

Trends in Health-Related Behavioral Risk Factors Among Pregnant Women in the United States: 2001–2009

“…Maternal alcohol use 8,9 and cigarette smoking 1,3,6,10,11 have been associated with increased risks for infertility, spontaneous abortion or preterm birth, infant facial dysmorphia, and fetal alcohol syndrome (characterized by growth deficiencies, central nervous system impairment, behavioral disorders, and impaired intellectual devolvement). Physical activity during pregnancy has been associated with decreased risk for gestational diabetes mellitus, 5,7,12 preeclampsia, 13,14 and excessive maternal weight gain.…”

Mother's anxiety and depression and associated risk factors during early pregnancy: effects on fetal growth and activity at 20–22 weeks of gestation

“…Studies examining the association between maternal substance consumption and early infant development have mostly suggested the potential short and long term teratogenic and neurodevelopmental consequences of nicotine [27,28], caffeine [29][30][31], and alcohol use during pregnancy [32], mostly when in the presence of high doses and chronic exposure. Reported development effects include a significant fetal growth reduction [33][34][35][36][37], low birth weight and preterm delivery [26,38,39], more time spent in a low fetal heart rate variation pattern and decrement of fetal activity both in high and low fetal heart rate variation periods [40], delayed onset of response to the maternal voice in fetuses less than 37 weeks gestational age [41] and fetal death [42].…”