Halliday JL, et al. – This research was designed to assess the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) in the general antenatal population on child neurodevelopment at 2 years. Relevant contributing factors were also reported. Sensation–avoiding behaviour was found to be increased as a consequence of early binge exposure, followed by lower–level PAE. No significant associations were seen, between PAE and neurodevelopment. Follow–up was recommended for these children.

Methods

• A total of 1570 pregnant women were included in this prospective population-based study, providing sociodemographic, psychological and lifestyle information and alcohol use for five time periods.
• PAE categories were ‘low’, ‘moderate/high’, ‘binge’, in trimester 1 or throughout pregnancy.
• For 554 children, measures of cognitive, language and motor development (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development) were available, while measures of sensory processing (Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile) and social–emotional development (Brief Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment) were available for 948.

Results

• Findings demonstrated that a positive association in univariate analysis with low-level PAE throughout pregnancy and cognition (β=4.1, 95% CI -0.02 to 8.22, p=0.05) was reduced by adjusting for environmental/social deprivation risk factors (β=3.06 (-1.19 to 7.30), p=0.16).
• Researchers observed that early binge drinking, plus continued PAE at lower levels, was associated with the child being more likely to score low in sensation avoidance (adjusted OR 1.88 (1.03 to 3.41), p=0.04).