Effects of light ethanol consumption during pregnancy: increased frequency of minor anomalies in the newborn and altered contractility of umbilical cord artery.

IVELI MF; MORALES S; REBOLLEDO A; SAVIETTO V; SALEMME S; APEZTEGUÍA M; CECOTTI N; DRUT R; MILESI V

PEDIATRIC RESEARCH

Año: 2007 vol. 61 p. 456 - 461

0031-3998

This study explores the effects of light maternal ethanol consumption during pregnancy on the appearance of minor malformations in neonates as well as on the contractile properties of their umbilical cord arteries (UCA). Clinical external findings of newborns from women declaring light ethanol consumption during any period of their pregnancies (exposed, E group, n=79) were compared with those of non-exposed mothers (NE group, n=100). Women who smoked or had any associated pathology were excluded. E group mothers consumed, on average, 200-250 ml ethanol/trimester (upper limit 700 ml/trimester). Sixty six % of the neonates from E group presented at least one minor malformation (retromicrognathia and minor anomalies of the auricular/preauricular area were the more common) while only 16% of the NE group did (p=0.0000). The percentage of children exhibiting Apgar scores <7 was significantly greater in the E group (11% vs. 2%, p=0.0119). UCA from the E  group developed significantly less contractile force (p<0.05) than those of the NE group when exposed to 1 µM serotonin or to a high K+ depolarizing solution. This difference persisted after inhibition of endothelial release of nitric oxide and prostacyclin. In conclusion, even light drinking should be considered a risk during pregnancy.