title: Moderate alcohol intake in pregnancy and the risk of spontaneous abortion.
abstract: Women attending routine antenatal care at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, from 1989 to 1996 were eligible for this cohort study on the association between alcohol intake in pregnancy and the risk of spontaneous abortion. We included 24 679 singleton pregnancies in the study. We used Cox regression analyses with delayed entry for the analyses. We found an increased risk of spontaneous abortion in the first trimester (7-11 completed weeks of gestation) for women consuming > or =5 drinks/week. We found no association between alcohol intake and spontaneous abortion during the second trimester. Common methodological problems in relation to studies on spontaneous abortions are discussed, as are problems with possible under-reporting of alcohol consumption. We conclude that women consuming > or =5 drinks/week are at increased risk of first trimester spontaneous abortion.
authors.affiliation: Perinatal Epidemiological Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby Sygehus, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors.forename: Ulrik
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kesmodel
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wisborg
authors.forename: Sjúrdur Fródi
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Tine Brink
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Henriksen
authors.forename: Niels Jørgen
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Secher
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012307:Risk Factors