title: Maternal Alcohol Use During Pregnancy and Associated Morbidities in Very Low Birth Weight Newborns.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We hypothesized that maternal alcohol use occurs in pregnancies that end prematurely and that in utero alcohol exposure is associated with an increased risk of morbidities of premature newborns.
  
  
  METHODS
  In an observational study of mothers who delivered very low birth weight newborns (VLBW) ≤1,500 g, maternal alcohol use was determined via a standardized administered questionnaire. We compared the effect of maternal drinking on the odds of developing late-onset sepsis (LOS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), death, BPD or death, days on oxygen or any morbidity (either LOS, BPD or death). The effect of drinking amounts (light versus heavy) was also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 129 subjects who delivered 143 VLBW newborns were enrolled. Approximately 1 in 3 (34%) subjects reported drinking alcohol during the first trimester ("exposed"). Within the exposed group, 15% reported drinking ≥7drinks/week ("heavy") and 85% of the subjects reported drinking <7drinks/week ("light"). When controlling for maternal age, drug or tobacco use during pregnancy and neonatal gestational age, any drinking increased the odds of BPD or death and any morbidity. Furthermore, light or heavy drinking increased the odds of BPD or death and any morbidity, whereas heavy drinking increased the odds of LOS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In utero alcohol exposure during the first trimester occurred in 34% of VLBW newborns. Maternal drinking in the first trimester was associated with significantly increased odds of neonatal morbidity. Further studies are warranted to determine the full effect of in utero alcohol exposure on the adverse outcomes of VLBW premature newborns.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Electronic address: tgauthi@emory.edu.
authors: Theresa W
authors: TW
authors: Gauthier
authors: Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia.
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: Guidot
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors: Michael S
authors: MS
authors: Kelleman
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors: Courtney E
authors: CE
authors: McCracken
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors: Lou Ann S
authors: LA
authors: Brown
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008297:Male; D000071074:Neonatal Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia; Fetal alcohol; Late-onset sepsis; Prematurity