Does alcohol affect birth outcomes?

Article

A study by researchers from Yale University and Brown University suggests that low-to-moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy may not increase risk of birth outcomes such as low birthweight.

 

A study by researchers from Yale University and Brown University suggests that low-to-moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy may not increase risk of birth outcomes such as low birthweight. The findings, from an epidemiologic study, were published in the Annals of Epidemiology and reflect associations, not direct cause and effect.

Researchers used multivariate analysis to estimate whether low-to-moderate prenatal alcohol exposure was associated with selected birth outcomes in a cohort of 4,496 women with singleton infants. The outcomes evaluated were low birthweight, preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and selected perinatal outcomes.

Resident's blog: Is there a doctor on board?

Odds of low birthweight and of birth length less than 10th percentile were reduced in offspring of women who drank in early pregnancy (OR 0.66; 95% CI, 0.46-0.96 and OR 0.75; 95% CI, 0.56-0.97, respectively). Reduced odds of birth length and head circumferences less than 10th percentile were associated with drinking during the first trimester (OR 0.56; 95% CI, 0.36-0.87 and OR 0.69; 95% CI, 0.50-0.96, respectively). Drinking during the third trimester was associated with lower odds of low birthweight and preterm delivery (OR 0.56; 95% CI, 0.34-0.94 and OR 0.60; 95% CI, 0.42-0.87, respectively).

The researchers concluded that low-to-moderate alcohol exposure during early and late gestation is not associated with increased risk of low birthweight, preterm delivery, IUGR, and most selected perinatal outcomes.    


 

To get weekly advice for today's Ob/Gyn, subscribe to the Contemporary OB/GYN Special Delivery.

Recent Videos
Mirvie's RNA platform revolutionizes detection of fetal growth restriction | Image Credit: wexnermedical.osu.edu
How early genetic testing empowers parents and improves outcomes | Image Credit: tuftsmedicine.org
Dallas Reed highlights trends and barriers in prenatal genetic testing | Image Credit: tuftsmedicine.org
How maternal fetal medicine specialists improve outcomes for high-risk pregnancies | Image Credit: profiles.mountsinai.org
Screening-to-diagnosis interval vital for gestational diabetes outcomes | Image Credit: ultracon2024.eventscribe.net
Henri M. Rosenberg, MD
Study explores the limits of neighborhood data in predicting preterm birth | Image Credit: linkedin.com
Integrase inhibitors not linked to neonatal weight | Image Credit: linkedin.com
How AI is revolutionizing prenatal detection of congenital heart defects | Image Credit: mfmnyc.com/team.
Dr. Wennerholm highlights future opportunities for managing prolonged pregnancy | Image Credit: gu.se/en/about/find-staff.
Related Content
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.