University of New Mexico researchers, led by Ludmila Bakhireva, have discovered that even low to moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to subtle changes in prenatal development, affecting factors such as birth length and gestational duration. In a study published in the journal Alcohol Clinical & Experimental Research, Bakhireva highlighted some sex-related differences in the impact of alcohol consumption on fetal development.
Bakhireva emphasized the importance of the study's findings, stating, "Almost everybody drinks before they know they are pregnant, and risky drinking before pregnancy is predictive of drinking later on." The research, which focused on moderate alcohol exposure, aimed to address the common prevalence of this behavior among pregnant women and its potential consequences on the developing fetus.
The study, which followed 281 participants over a 10-year period, revealed that even with reduced alcohol consumption or complete abstinence upon realizing pregnancy, certain deficits were observed in both male and female infants. Bakhireva stressed the need for larger, nationwide studies to validate these findings and explore sex-specific effects in more detail.
As the principal investigator of the HEALthy Brain and Child Development study at UNM, Bakhireva highlighted the importance of broader research initiatives in understanding the nuances of alcohol's impact during pregnancy. She noted, "With that type of multi-site study, we’ll have sufficient power to look at the effects of different patterns and timing of alcohol use in even a more nuanced way."
The study aligns with the messaging from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, emphasizing that no amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is considered safe. Bakhireva concluded by urging for a proactive approach to promote abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy to ensure positive health and developmental outcomes for children.