Maternal alcohol abuse and neonatal infection.
BACKGROUND
Since chronic alcohol use suppresses the adult immune system, we tested the hypothesis that maternal alcohol ingestion increases the risk of infection in term newborns.


METHODS
Analysis of a large case-control study of birth weight for gestational age was performed focusing on maternal alcohol ingestion and the development of infection in term newborns > or =36 weeks gestation. After delivery, mothers were asked about alcohol and tobacco use in the 3 months prior to conception, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester of pregnancy.


RESULTS
Eight hundred and seventy-two singleton newborns (872) > or = 36 weeks gestation were identified for analysis. A total of 51 (5.8%) had newborn infections. Gestational age, sex, and small for gestational age (SGA) were similar in the newborns with and without infection (p = NS). Infants whose mothers reported alcohol use, excessive drinking or smoking in pregnancy were more likely to have a newborn diagnosed with an infection than were mothers who reported abstaining from alcohol or cigarettes (p < 0.05). When controlling for race and smoking, SGA infants whose mothers used any alcohol had a 2.5-fold increase risk of infection, while excessive alcohol use increased the risk 3-4-fold. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis controlling for low maternal income, smoking, and SGA, excessive alcohol use during the 2 trimester increased the risk of newborn infection (OR 3.7 [1.1,12.8], p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Excessive maternal alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of newborn infection in this patient sample. Increased awareness and further clinical investigations are warranted to address the detrimental effects of fetal alcohol exposure on the developing immune system.
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. tgauthi@emory.edu
Theresa W
TW
Gauthier
Carolyn
C
Drews-Botsch
Arthur
A
Falek
Claire
C
Coles
Lou Ann S
LA
Brown
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011264:Pregnancy Trimesters; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology
D000431:Ethanol