Prenatal alcohol exposure and miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery, and sudden infant death syndrome

Alcohol Res Health. 2011;34(1):86-91.

Abstract

In addition to fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with many other adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. Research suggests that alcohol use during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery, and sudden infant death syndrome. This research has some inherent difficulties, such as the collection of accurate information about alcohol consumption during pregnancy and controlling for comorbid exposures and conditions. Consequently, attributing poor birth outcomes to prenatal alcohol exposure is a complicated and ongoing task, requiring continued attention to validated methodology and to identifying specific biological mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Spontaneous / diagnosis
  • Abortion, Spontaneous / epidemiology*
  • Abortion, Spontaneous / prevention & control
  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology*
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Premature Birth / diagnosis
  • Premature Birth / epidemiology*
  • Premature Birth / prevention & control
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / diagnosis
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / epidemiology*
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / prevention & control
  • Stillbirth / epidemiology*
  • Sudden Infant Death / diagnosis
  • Sudden Infant Death / epidemiology*
  • Sudden Infant Death / prevention & control