Alcohol Abuse in Pregnant Women: Effects on the Fetus and Newborn, Mode of Action and Maternal Treatment

Asher Ornoy and Zivanit Ergaz
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Asher Ornoy: Laboratory of Teratology, The Institute of Medical Research Israel Canada, Hadassah Medical School and Hospital, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, P.O. Box 12271, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
Zivanit Ergaz: Laboratory of Teratology, The Institute of Medical Research Israel Canada, Hadassah Medical School and Hospital, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, P.O. Box 12271, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel

IJERPH, 2010, vol. 7, issue 2, 1-16

Abstract: Offspring of mothers using ethanol during pregnancy are known to suffer from developmental delays and/or a variety of behavioral changes. Ethanol, may affect the developing fetus in a dose dependent manner. With very high repetitive doses there is a 6–10% chance of the fetus developing the fetal alcoholic syndrome manifested by prenatal and postnatal growth deficiency, specific craniofacial dysmorphic features, mental retardation, behavioral changes and a variety of major anomalies. With lower repetitive doses there is a risk of "alcoholic effects" mainly manifested by slight intellectual impairment, growth disturbances and behavioral changes. Binge drinking may impose some danger of slight intellectual deficiency. It is advised to offer maternal abstinence programs prior to pregnancy, but they may also be initiated during pregnancy with accompanying close medical care. The long term intellectual outcome of children born to ethanol dependent mothers is influenced to a large extent by the environment in which the exposed child is raised.

Keywords: ethanol; pregnancy outcome; fetal alcohol syndrome (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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