Alcohol Consumption In Pregnancy Research Articles

Use of substance and non-prescription drugs by pregnant Nigerian Women

Objective: To evaluate the problems of alcohol, other substance and non- prescription drugs use during pregnancy. Methods: The study was carried out at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria. Participants who were recruited during the study period, consisted of 1160 alternate pregnant patients who registered at the antenatal clinic from January 1999 to December 2001. They were administered the psychoactive substance screener section of the ICD – 10 symptom checklist (WHO, 1994); the self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ – 24 Harding et al, 1980) and the health questionnaire (Sheila Blume, 1996). Results: Thirty percent of the women admitted to use of non- prescription drugs. Vitamins were the most commonly abused (41.4%) followed by analgesics (33.4%), kola nuts (25.7%), laxatives (10.6%), and antacids (8.9%) Alcohol was consumed by 43.7%. Whereas 16.7% found alcohol not helpful in feeling better or relaxed when they are depressed or nervous, 27.1% found it helpful. The incidence of drinking alcohol was higher (50%) among the 35 and above year age group, followed by the 30-34 year age group with 37.5%. Only 2.9% admitted to using tobacco. Conclusion: Alcohol consumption in pregnancy appears to be higher in the older pregnant Nigerians. The implications of use in early pregnancy and during labour are highlighted. Key Words: Non-prescription drugs, Substance use, Pregnant Women, Nigeria (J College Med: 2003 8(1): 23-26)

Abuse history and health risk behaviors in pregnancy

To study the relation between a history of physical abuse and consumption of cigarettes and alcohol during pregnancy. In a case-control study, 83 women who delivered a low birthweight (<2500 g) infant (cases) and 92 women with a newborn with birthweight > or =2500 g (controls) were interviewed about a history of sexual abuse, physical abuse by a partner, and about health behaviors during pregnancy. In all, 46 (26%) had a history of abuse. Birth of a low birthweight infant was not associated with a history of abuse. At time of first prenatal visit 35% of the women were daily smokers, 50%) of the abused and 29%, of the nonabused were smokers. An abuse history was associated with daily smoking when controlled for educational level (OR 2.29, 95%, CI 1.08-4.85). Ninety (51%) of the women reported consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Abuse was associated with alcohol consumption in pregnancy when controlled for educational level (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.22-5.39). Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy were associated with a history of abuse. Health care professionals should consider this potential correlation when use of tobacco and alcohol in pregnancy is brought up.

Moderate alcohol consumption in pregnancy and subsequent left-handedness. A follow-up study

Alcohol in high doses is neurotoxic to the developing brain but it is not yet settled whether small doses give rise to more subtle effects. The aim of the study was to establish whether a moderate intake of alcohol in pregnancy would increase the frequency of left-handedness in the offspring. Such an association could indicate a possible subtle prenatal neurotoxic effect. This was a follow-up study of a group of pregnant women who took part in a community trial in 1984 to 1987. Data on alcohol consumption were reported by consecutively sampled pregnant women in the 36th week of gestation. Hand preference for their offspring was reported by the mothers in a self-administered questionnaire when their children were 5 to 9 years old. Ninety-one percent participated in the follow-up study. The study showed that 9.1% of the children were left-handed, with a higher prevalence among boys (11.8%). Results showed a slightly higher frequency of being left-handed among children exposed to alcohol in fetal life, but the findings were not statistically significant at a 0.05 level.

Effects of moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy on child development at 18 and 42 months.

The aim of this study was to estimate the association between moderate alcohol consumption in pregnancy and child development to the age of 3.5 years. Furthermore, the aim was to compare development indices at 18 and 42 months of age. This study is an extension of the Danish participation in the EuroMac study. In a two-stage sampling, pregnant women in a well-defined region (Odense, Denmark) were recruited to a follow-up study according to their reported drinking habits in the first trimester of pregnancy. All among 2880 pregnant women who reported an alcohol consumption early in pregnancy (12th week of gestation) of at least 5 drinks/week were ascertained (164 women). A similar age and expected time of delivery matched group was selected from the remaining group of pregnant women. Alcohol consumption data were based on self-reported data, and child development recording was done blindly by two psychologists at 18 and 42 months after birth. Two hundred fifty-one mother-child pairs participated in all follow-up studies. None of the reported levels of alcohol intake was statistically significantly associated with any of the child development indices (including measures of binge drinking). Comparing child development indices at 18 and 42 months did, however, reveal a rather large variation over time for alcohol exposures, as well as nonexposures. A large variation in the outcome measure will tend to mask effects of any exposures, but nevertheless it is unlikely that a low alcohol intake in pregnancy has any substantial impact on child development.

Children with alcohol misusing parents.

Children of alcohol abusing parents (COAs) now receive more attention in their own right but data from methodologically sound studies is still thin. Genetic vulnerability increases risk of comorbidity for other psychiatric disorders and cognitive deficits as well as substance abuse. Neuropsychological effects of maternal alcohol consumption in pregnancy are more common than previously thought and paternal alcohol abuse may contribute to fetal damage. Family functioning is severely affected and COAs are at risk for child abuse though the strength of the association needs clarifying. Family drinking patterns are associated with teenage alcohol abuse and early induction increases the risk of addiction. COAs have raised morbidity rates for emotional and behavioural disturbance with impact on the developing child and separate prognostic significance for future adult morbidity other than alcoholism. Ethical considerations arise about the welfare of children cared for by alcohol abusing parents.

Pregnancy alcohol consumption

Alcohol was discovered soon after the development of waterproof pots to store and transport water and fruit. Liquids produced by spontaneous fermentation of grains, sugars and fruits were found to enhance pleasure. During the middle ages alchemists discovered that distillation increased this power and thought they had found the elixir of life. Since then almost every culture has used alcohol. Each society has introduced its own restrictions on the availability, exports, imports and consumption of alcoholic beverages within its religious and political structure. Generally, drinking levels which interfere with self-control or result in individual, familial or societal harm are disapproved by all cultures.

Moderate maternal and paternal alcohol consumption and the risk of spontaneous abortion.

Maternal alcoholism can lead to the fetal alcohol syndrome in offspring, but the effect of more moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy remains an issue of concern. Therefore, we analyzed data from a large case-control study of spontaneous abortion (626 cases, 1,300 controls) that ascertained maternal alcohol consumption before and during pregnancy, as well as paternal consumption. Asking when in pregnancy alcohol consumption changed allowed us to calculate a weighted average of the amount consumed weekly during the first trimester. The odds ratio for consumption of seven or more drinks per week was 1.9 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-3.4] when adjusted for maternal smoking, passive smoking, and maternal age. Data were too sparse to examine higher consumption levels. There was some evidence that cases may have had less opportunity than controls to decrease consumption during their shorter pregnancies, potentially biasing the odds ratio upward. The adjusted odds ratio for any paternal alcohol consumption was 1.2 (CI = 0.93-1.5), with no dose-response effect seen. Among pregnancies in which the mother did not drink, there was no association with paternal drinking.

The effects of smoking and drinking on the anthropometric measurements of neonates

Summary.This study investigated the effects of smoking and alcohol consumption in pregnancy on length, head circumference, upper arm circumference and ponderal index, of neonates born to 1513 Caucasian women who delivered at St George's Hospital, south London. All measurements were adjusted for gestational age, maternal height, parity and sex of infant. Babies of smokers were shorter, had lower ponderal index and smaller upper arm circumference than those of non-smokers. After controlling for alcohol consumption, these differences remained (but with reduced statistical significance). There was no statistically significant difference in head circumference between smokers and non-smokers. Alcohol consumption at booking had no effect on growth measurements in non-smokers but had a significant, negative effect on all measurements in smokers. Drinking later in pregnancy had less effect. Alcohol appears to enhance the growth-retarding effect of smoking. It is suggested that both smoking and alcohol also have an inhibitory effect on fat deposition in babies, which contributes to the reduction in birthweight associated with smoking and drinking.

The effects of smoking and drinking on the anthropometric measurements of neonates

This study investigated the effects of smoking and alcohol consumption in pregnancy on length, head circumference, upper arm circumference and ponderal index, of neonates born to 1513 Caucasian women who delivered at St George's Hospital, south London. All measurements were adjusted for gestational age, maternal height, parity and sex of infant. Babies of smokers were shorter, had lower ponderal index and smaller upper arm circumference than those of non-smokers. After controlling for alcohol consumption, these differences remained (but with reduced statistical significance). There was no statistically significant difference in head circumference between smokers and non-smokers. Alcohol consumption at booking had no effect on growth measurements in non-smokers but had a significant, negative effect on all measurements in smokers. Drinking later in pregnancy had less effect. Alcohol appears to enhance the growth-retarding effect of smoking. It is suggested that both smoking and alcohol also have an inhibitory effect on fat deposition in babies, which contributes to the reduction in birthweight associated with smoking and drinking.

Alcohol use in pregnancy, craniofacial features, and fetal growth.

The aim was to study the relationship between the level of alcohol consumption in pregnancy and craniofacial characteristics of the neonate. This was a prospective survey of a sample of pregnant women, stratified on prepregnancy level of alcohol consumption. The study was carried out at the public antenatal clinic of Roubaix maternity hospital. During an eight month period, 684 women (89% of those eligible) were interviewed in a standardised way at their first antenatal clinic visit. Of these, all who were suspected of being alcoholic or heavy drinkers (at least 21 drinks per week) were selected for follow up, as was a subsample of light (0-6 drinks per week) and moderate (7-20 drinks per week) drinkers. Of 347 women selected in this way, 202 had their infants assessed by a standardised morphological examination. MEASUREMENTS AND AND MAIN RESULTS: Suggestive craniofacial characteristics of the infants, present either in isolation or in association with growth retardation ("fetal alcohol effects"), were compared in relation to maternal alcohol consumption (alcoholic 12%; heavy drinking 24%; moderate drinking 28%; light drinking 36%). No differences were found between light and moderate drinkers. Infants born to alcoholics had a greater number of craniofacial characteristics and the proportion with features compatible with fetal alcohol effects was higher. There was a similar trend for infants of heavy drinkers. Infants of heavy drinkers who had decreased their alcohol consumption during pregnancy had fewer craniofacial features. Infants of heavy smokers were also found to have increased numbers of craniofacial characteristics. Craniofacial morphology could be a sensitive indicator of alcohol exposure in utero. Altered morphology is usually considered specific for alcohol exposure, but the relation observed with smoking needs further exploration.

The inter-regional epidemiological study of childhood cancer (IRESCC): Case-control study of children with central nervous system tumours

Tumours of the central nervous system comprise 23% of all childhood cancers and form the most common group of solid malignancies. Little is know about their aetiology. The present report concerns the results of a case-control study of 78 incident cases of central nervous system tumours in children. No case-control differences were detected for the following: pre-natal diagnostic X-rays, general anaesthetics during pregnancy, pregnancy infections, pregnancy drugs (including sedatives, tranquillizers and anti-convulsants), alcohol consumption in pregnancy, child's birthweight, breast-feeding, childhood illnesses, previous medication in the child. A significant excess of case mothers had suffered from diseases of the nervous system (RR 2.6). There was a deficit of children who had been immunised among the case children which approached significance, and an excess of congenital abnormalities among cases which also approached significance. There was a small excess of neoplastic disease among case parents. The results of this study suggest that in our patients genetic rather than environmental factors are more important, but the small numbers included in the present study meant that no definite conclusions could be reached.

Adverse effects of alcohol in pregnancy.

Summary Alcohol consumption in pregnancy can produce a spectrum of abnormalities in the developing foetus, ranging from minor retardation of growth to the fully developed ‘foetal alcohol syndrome’. This syndrome comprises a constellation of physical and mental defects associated with a charateristic facial appearance that is found in children: born to chronic alcoholic women. Although it was thought to be extremely rare in the U.K., several case studies have recently appeared in the literature, and its incidence is probably increasing. In moderately drinking pregnant women increased rates of spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and congenital malformation as well as growth retardation have been reported, though some of these findings await confurmation. It is likely also that certain behavioural abnormalities are consequent on maternal alcohol intake. The major U.K. finding so far is that consumption of more than 100g alcohol per week in the early stages of pregnancy is associated with reduced birth weight. There is no doubt that alcohol is teratogenic in laboratory animals and that the effects are dose-related. In humans the threshold dose necessary to produce damage to the foetus and the time in pregnancy that alcohol is particularly likely to have deleterious effects have not yet been established. In the present state of knowledge there are difficulties in recommending safe limits. It is obvious that abstinence before and during pregancy is the safest course, but one drink a day is unlikely to be harmful. Greater efforts are needed to educate women about the dangers of alcohol consumption in pregnancy.

Effects of moderate alcohol consumption and smoking on fetal outcome.

Previous studies of the effects of moderate drinking on the outcome of pregnancy are assessed. The results of a prospective study of the association between alcohol consumption in pregnancy and birthweight, length of baby, head circumference and premature delivery are described. Consumption of more than 10 g alcohol per day in very early pregnancy or even before conception approximately doubled the risk that the infant would have a low birthweight. Cigarette smoking was also a risk factor for low birthweight. It may therefore be beneficial for women to reduce their alcohol consumption to one drink a day or less from before conception and give up smoking as well.

Alcohol consumption in pregnancy

Alcohol consumption in pregnancy

Alcohol consumption in pregnancy.

Alcohol consumption in pregnancy.

Smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy: an epidemiological study in Tasmania.

Smoking and alcohol ingestion were analysed in 5100 women confined in Tasmania in 1981. This represented 70% of the total number of confinements. The incidence of smoking throughout pregnancy was 33.6%, and 2.7% of the women studied smoked at some time during pregnancy. Alcohol consumption in pregnancy was recorded for 55.9% of patients. However, 99% were only occasional drinkers. There was a statistically higher incidence in smoking habits in the age group 20 years and under, the unmarried and the lower socio-economic classes, whereas the reverse was true for alcohol consumption. The analysis provides a basis for the groups toward which programmes should be directed.

Alcohol consumption in pregnancy. How much is safe?

Nine hundred and seventy-three white women attending an antenatal clinic completed a questionnaire on parity, social class, smoking habits, and consumption of alcohol and coffee. Forty-nine per cent said they were non-drinkers and none of their babies had a major congenital abnormalities; whereas 1.2% of the babies of the women who did consume alcohol had major abnormalities. The babies of women who said they drank more than an average of 20 ml alcohol a day had significantly smaller head circumferences than the babies of non-drinkers in some gestational age groups. Maternal serum gamma-glutamyltransferase levels predicted abnormal fetal outcome in the 3 women in whom they were raised. There is no safe level of alcohol consumption in pregnancy and even moderate 'social' drinking is associated with abnormal fetal outcome.