by Chris Westerley

Created on: December 19, 2011   Last Updated: December 20, 2011

When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, the alcohol passes from her blood stream , across the placenta and into her baby’s blood. The problem is that the still-developing liver of the baby cannot process the alcohol as rapidly as an adult liver. Therefore, the baby is exposed to higher blood concentrations of alcohol and for longer periods than its mother. At high concentrations, alcohol is a toxic substance.

*Fetal alcohol syndrome*

Regular exposure of the developing fetus to alcohol can cause a condition known as fetal alcohol syndrome. This is made up of a number of elements:

1. Abnormal development of facial structures such as the nose, eyes and lips.

2. Abnormal development of internal organs such as the heart and kidneys, and of the muscles. As a result, the child may require corrective surgery.

3. Abnormal development of the brain and nervous system. This can subsequently lead to retarded development, learning problems, hyperactivity, emotional and behavioural problems.

4. Low birth weight and growth retardation.

Excessive drinking also increases the risk of miscarriage and makes premature birth more likely.

Heavy drinking in early pregnancy will more likely affect structural development, resulting in abnormal features. However, defects of internal organs, including the brain, can also be caused at this stage.

Heavy drinking in late pregnancy has a much greater effect on overall growth. It will also have toxic effects on the baby’s brain. As a result, the brain may not develop to full size, which in turn may affect intelligence and behaviour.

*Neonatal abstinence syndrome*

When the mother drinks heavily on a very regular basis in pregnancy, her child may become dependent on alcohol while in the womb. Just as in the case of babies born to drug-abusing mothers, the newborn child will have neonatal abstinence syndrome. It will suffer the same physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms experienced by alcohol abusers in the “drying-out” stage. These may be serious enough to require extensive medical treatment.

*Light drinking in pregnancy*

Most current guidelines, for example those of NIAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) advise total abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy.

Paradoxically, however, light drinking (1 to 2 units per week) may possibly be more beneficial than total abstinence. The web site of the prestigious University College London reports on research published in October 2010 by Dr Yvonne Kelly

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>