Gamma-glutamyltransferase, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases and their ratio, mean cell volume and urinary dolichol in pregnant alcohol abusers.

Abstract

To study the activities of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST, ALT), and their ratio (AST/ALT), mean erythrocyte cell volume (MCV) and urinary dolichol output in alcohol-abusing pregnant women, and compare the results to those of abstinent pregnant women. Prospective descriptive study. Special outpatient clinic for pregnant problem-drinkers in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland. 25 pregnant women referred to the special clinic at between 12 and 24 weeks gestation, they consumed at least 150 g of ethanol weekly, and a control group of 20 abstinent pregnant women matched for age, parity and smoking habits. The women were encouraged to visit the clinic at 2-4 week intervals. At each visit blood and urine samples were obtained, and the women were interviewed on their alcohol consumption during the previous weeks and encouraged to abstain in the future. Neonatal condition, fetal alcohol effects (FAE) in the newborn. Serum activities of GGT, AST and ALT, the AST/ALT ratio, the MCV, and the urinary concentration of dolichol in alcohol-abusing women with either healthy or FAE infants, compared with those of abstinent women with healthy infants. Of the 25 alcohol-abusing women 13 gave birth to infants with FAE and 12 to healthy infants. All the women in the control group gave birth to healthy infants. GGT, AST and ALT activities were increased in all alcohol-abusing women, regardless whether the infant had FAE or not. GGT was the best of these markers, GGT activities above the 95th normal centile were found in 33% of the samples from all alcohol-abusing women. The AST/ALT ratio, MCV and urinary dolichol concentration were poor indicators of abusive drinking. Maternal alcohol abuse is difficult to assess by laboratory tests. Of the commonly used and easily available tests, GGT proved to be the best in our study.