Using one question to identify women at risk for an alcohol-exposed pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Consumption of 8 alcoholic drinks per week or 5 alcoholic drinks on one occasion by a pregnant woman can affect the developing fetus. However, it can be difficult to determine which patients are at risk.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate how well the answer to a single question about binge drinking could help identify women at risk of an alcohol-exposed pregnancy (AEP).


METHODS
Using data from a study of methods to prevent AEPs, the authors compared the efficacy of self-reported answers to a screening question about binge drinking (5 or more standard drinks on one occasion) within the past 90 days with answers to a question about drinking quantity (weekly consumption of 8 or more standard drinks) within the past 90 days.


RESULTS
The participants were 354 women of childbearing age who met screening criteria for being at risk of an AEP. The binge question was answered positively by 346 women (97.7%) at risk, while only 209 women (59.0%) reported that they drank 8 or more drinks in a week.


CONCLUSIONS
A single question about binge drinking can effectively and quickly identify the majority of women at risk of an AEP.
Johnson
Kenneth E
KE
College of Osteopathic Medicine, Health Professions Division, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314-7721, USA.
Sobell
Mark B
MB
Sobell
Linda Carter
LC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult