title: Prenatal alcohol exposure among Alaska Native/American Indian infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent reports indicate a decline in rates of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) among Alaska Native and American Indian (AN/AI) infants. Nevertheless, AN/AI infants remain disproportionately impacted by the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  AN/AI pregnant women in their 3rd trimester completed a questionnaire on demographic data and the amount and frequency of their alcohol consumption in the month prior to conception and during pregnancy. Differences across demographics and trimesters were tested with the Chi-square, Fisher's exact or McNemar's test as appropriate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 125 participants, 56% (n = 71) reported no alcohol consumption in the 1st through 3rd trimesters of pregnancy; 30% (n = 38) of the 125 participants also reported no alcohol consumption in the month before pregnancy. Of the 43% (n = 54) who reported consuming alcohol during pregnancy (1st, 2nd and/or 3rd trimester), most (35%) reported alcohol use only in the 1st trimester. Binge drinking in the 1st or 2nd trimester was reported amongst 20% (n = 25) of participants with an additional 18% (n = 29) reporting binge drinking in the month prior to pregnancy. Women who reported pre-conception binge drinking were significantly more likely to report binge drinking during their 1st trimester (p < 0.0001) and 2nd trimester (p < 0.0001). A history of tobacco use (p = 0.0403) and cigarette smoking during pregnancy (p < 0.0001) were also associated with binge drinking during pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among study participants, reported use of alcohol was primarily limited to pre-conception and the 1st trimester, with a dramatic decrease in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Prevention programmes, such as the Alaska FAS Prevention Project, may have contributed to observed decreases in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Additional study and focus on pre-conception, the 1st trimester and binge drinking, as well as tobacco use might augment Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder prevention efforts.
authors.affiliation: Southcentral Foundation, Research Department, 4105 Tudor Centre Drive, Suite 200, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA. bkhan@southcentralfoundation.com
authors.forename: Burhan A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Renee F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Julia J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Denise A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Dillard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007223:Infant; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011264:Pregnancy Trimesters; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Alaska Native/American Indian infants; fetal alcohol spectrum disorder; fetal alcohol syndrome; prenatal alcohol exposure