Low to moderate maternal alcohol use before and during pregnancy, and neurobehavioural outcome in the newborn infant.
Of 2002 randomly selected pregnant women recruited prospectively over a three-year period for an extensive questionnaire survey, a stratified subsample of 665 mothers was selected for mother-infant follow-up on the basis of pre-pregnancy alcohol intake. Infant outcome was assessed by detailed clinical examination and application of a modified Einstein Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Schedule (ENBAS) performed at 24 to 72 hours of age. Of the infant responses to 25 ENBAS items, only tonus showed a small but significant relationship to pre-pregnancy maternal alcohol intake. The authors conclude that low to moderate maternal alcohol intake has no significant effect on newborn neurological status.
Walpole
I
I
Department of Paediatrics, University of Western Australia, Perth.
Zubrick
S
S
Pontré
J
J
Lawrence
C
C
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000187:drug effects; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects