Abstract
BackgroundPrenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can result in detrimental developmental complications. The objective of this study was to estimate the most recent PAE prevalence data for the state of West Virginia (WV) and associated factors.MethodIn all, 1830 newborn residual dried blood spots (DBS) in the WV Newborn Screening Repository were analyzed for phosphatidylethanol (PETH). Data were matched with Project WATCH data (94% match, N = 1729).ResultsThe prevalence of late pregnancy PAE was 8.10% (95%CI: 6.81, 9.38) for all births, 7.61% (95%CI: 6.26, 8.97) for WV residents only, and ranged from 2.27 to 17.11% by region. The significant factors associated with PAE included smoking (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.40, 2.94), preterm births (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.23, 2.89), birth weight of ≤2000 g vs. >3000 g (OR: 2.62, 95%CI: 1.19, 5.79), no exclusive breastfeeding intention (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.02, 2.04), and not exclusively breastfeeding before discharge (OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.38).ConclusionThe prevalence of PAE is higher than previously shown for the state. Accurate and timely estimates are vital to inform public health workers, policymakers, researchers, and clinicians to develop and promote effective prevention strategies to lower PAE prevalence and provide targeted interventions and treatment services for infants affected by PAE.
Highlights
Maternal alcohol use in pregnancy negatively impacts several organ systems of the developing embryo and fetus.[1]
The prevalence of late pregnancy prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) (PETH ≥8 ng/ml) was 140 cases or 8.10% in the entire sample that included out-of-state residents as well
15% of infants were born to mothers who lived in the surrounding states of Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia but gave birth in the state of West Virginia (WV)
Summary
Maternal alcohol use in pregnancy negatively impacts several organ systems of the developing embryo and fetus.[1] The severity of the outcomes varies by dose, duration, and the developmental stage of the embryo.[1] There is a broad range of deficits associated with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).[1] FASD includes the fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is the most severe and specific outcome associated with high-dose ethanol exposure in the first trimester during organogenesis. Accurate and timely estimates are vital to inform public health workers, policymakers, researchers, and clinicians to develop and promote effective prevention strategies to lower PAE prevalence and provide targeted interventions and treatment services for infants affected by PAE
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