The study, to be published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, investigated the relationship between prenatal exposure to alcohol and the effects on fetal growth and preterm birth.

A random sample of 4,719 women who gave birth in Western Australia between 1995 and 1997 took part in a survey. Data such as how often participants drank alcohol, the amount of alcohol consumed in each occasion and the types of alcoholic beverage consumed were collated.

The researcher team from the Institute with the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at the University of Oxford found that, on average, levels of alcohol intake decreased from the pre-pregnancy period to the second and third trimester. There was no difference in outcomes for women who drank low levels of alcohol during their pregnancy and those that abstained.

The incidence of preterm birth was highest amongst women who binged (9.5%) or drank heavily, even if the mother stopped drinking prior to the second trimester (13.6%), compared with less than 6% in women who did not drink during pregnancy. There was a 2.3-fold increased odds of preterm birth in women who drank heavily in early pregnancy but then stopped (CI 0.7, 7.7) after taking into account maternal smoking, drug use, socioeconomic status and maternal health. Researchers suggest that a possible reason why this occurs is because the cessation of alcohol consumption before the second trimester may trigger a metabolic or inflammatory response resulting in preterm birth. There was no evidence of an increased likelihood of preterm birth at low levels of alcohol consumption.

Prenatal alcohol exposure did not increase the risk of babies being born small for gestational age once maternal smoking was accounted for.

Researchers noted a link between smoking and alcohol consumption – they found women who smoked during pregnancy were less likely to abstain from alcohol at any time during their pregnancy than non-smokers. Over one quarter (27.7%) of women who drank in late pregnancy also smoked, compared with 19% of women who had abstained from alcohol during pregnancy. Other factors associated with late term pregnancy drinking include: a maternal age of 30 years and above, higher income, use of illicit drugs.

Institute researcher Colleen O'Leary said "Our research shows pregnant women who drink more than one to two standard drinks per occasion and more than six standard drinks per week increase their risk of having a premature baby, even if they stop drinking before the second trimester.

"The risk of preterm birth is highest for pregnant women who drink heavily or at binge levels, meaning drinking more than seven standard drinks per week, or more than five drinks on any one occasion.

"Health professionals should routinely screen pregnant women and all women of child bearing age for alcohol use/misuse. It's important that women should be given information about the possible risks to the baby from alcohol exposure during pregnancy.

"Women should be advised that during pregnancy, drinking alcohol above low levels increases the risk to the baby and that the safest choice is not to drink alcohol during pregnancy. If pregnant women cannot stop or reduce their drinking, they should seek medical advice."

[A standard drink in this analysis is the Australian standard10gm of alcohol, eg 100ml of wine]

Professor Philip Steer, BJOG editor-in-chief said, "This study provides useful insight into the drinking habits of a representative group of women. It is very telling how the combination of smoking and heavy drinking can mean double trouble for pregnant mothers and their babies.

"It shows the effects of high alcohol use and demonstrates that heavy and binge levels of alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk to the baby, even if drinking is stopped in the first three months of pregnancy. These findings are sobering and should act as a deterrent to heavy or binge drinking during pregnancy. However, the results also show that low levels of alcohol consumption (less than 7 standard drinks per week and no more than two on any one occasion) appeared not to constitute a significant risk of preterm birth provided all other forms of unhealthy behaviour were avoided."

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

• Pregnancy and Childbirth
• Infant's Health
• Gynecology

• Public Health
• World Development
• Ocean Policy

• Stillbirth
• Nutrition and pregnancy
• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
• Pregnancy
• Premature birth
• Birth weight