Offspring effects and pregnancy complications related to self-reported maternal alcohol use.
The purpose of this research was to study the relationship between alcohol use (assessed by self-report) and status of the newborn (assessed from medical records). Sample size was 1,439 and the mothers were primarily white, married, and of middle socioeconomic class. Maternal alcohol use during pregnancy was related to low Apgar scores, bradycardia, variable deceleration, and respiratory distress. These results were not accounted for by other factors that were also examined such as maternal smoking, use of caffeine, "street' drugs, prenatal care or weight gain during pregnancy. While this study cannot evaluate the possible discrepancy between self-reported and actual alcohol consumption, these data suggest an increased risk for neonatal distress among infants of mothers who report alcohol use patterns that are often considered within the realm of social drinking.
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001034:Apgar Score; D002110:Caffeine / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000209:etiology; D012306:Risk; D012907:Smoking
D002110:Caffeine