Maternal Alcohol Use During Pregnancy and Associated Morbidities in Very Low Birth Weight Newborns

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Theresa Gauthier, Emory University; David Guidot, Emory University; Michael S. Kelleman, Emory University; Courtney E. McCracken, Emory University; Lou Brown, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2016-10-01
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2016 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjms.2016.06.019
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: American Journal of the Medical Sciences
• ISSN: 0002-9629
• Volume: 352
• Issue: 4
• Start Page: 368
• End Page: 375
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health [P50 AA-135757 to TWG, DMG, LASB] and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health [UL1TR000454].
• Keywords: UTERO ETHANOL EXPOSURE; ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGE; Science & Technology; FETAL LUNG; Bronchopulmonary dysplasia; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Fetal alcohol; Late-onset sepsis; CONSUMPTION; RISK; IN-VIVO; DYSFUNCTION; SPECTRUM DISORDERS; PRENATAL ALCOHOL; Prematurity; General & Internal Medicine; Medicine, General & Internal; EARLY-ONSET SEPSIS
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, General

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 ≥7. drinks/week ("heavy") and 85% of the subjects reported drinking < 7. drinks/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.