Journal article
Low-to-moderate gestational alcohol use and intrauterine growth retardation, low birthweight, and preterm delivery
Annals of epidemiology, Vol.7(7), pp.498-508
1997
DOI: 10.1016/S1047-2797(97)00081-1
PMID: 9349918
Abstract
PURPOSE: Heavy drinking during pregnancy is an established risk factor for fetal alcohol syndrome and other adverse perinatal outcomes. However, there is still debate as to the effects of low-to-moderate drinking during pregnancy.
METHODS: This prospective investigation was based on 2714 singleton live births at Yale-New Haven Hospital during 1988–1992. Alcohol drinking during pregnancy was evaluated with respect to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), preterm delivery, and low birth weight.
RESULTS: Mild drinking, defined as > 0.10 – 0.25 oz of absolute alcohol per day, during the first month of pregnancy was associated with a protective effect on IUGR (OR, 0.39; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.20 – 0.76). Overall, drinking during month 1 of pregnancy suggested a curvilinear effect on growth retardation, with consumption of > 1.00 oz of absolute alcohol per day showing increased risk. Drinking during month 7 was associated with a uniform increase in the odds of preterm delivery; the ORs were 2.88 (95% CI, 1.64 – 5.05) for light drinking and 2.96 (95% CI, 1.32 – 6.67) for mild-to-moderate alcohol consumption.
CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the risk estimates for IUGR and preterm delivery may indicate etiological differences that warrant further investigation of these outcomes and critical periods of exposure. Low birthweight is not a useful neonatal outcome for this exposure because it is a heterogeneous mix of preterm delivery and IUGR. Despite the observed protective effects of mild drinking on IUGR, the increased risk of preterm delivery with alcohol use supports a policy of abstinence during pregnancy.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Low-to-moderate gestational alcohol use and intrauterine growth retardation, low birthweight, and preterm delivery
- Creators
- Lisbet S. Lundsberg - Yale UniversityMichael B. Bracken - Yale UniversityAudrey F. Saftlas - Yale University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Annals of epidemiology, Vol.7(7), pp.498-508
- DOI
- 10.1016/S1047-2797(97)00081-1
- PMID
- 9349918
- NLM abbreviation
- Ann Epidemiol
- ISSN
- 1047-2797
- eISSN
- 1873-2585
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 1997
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984364405102771
Metrics
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