Research Article: Birth Defects Associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure—A Review
Abstract:
Since the recognition of fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol has been accepted as a human teratogen. However, little is known about the relation between prenatal alcohol exposure and the spectrum of associated major birth defects. The objective of this review was to summarize data on the association of major congenital abnormalities and prenatal alcohol exposure. We included all major birth defects according to ICD-10 classification. We found that the strongest evidence to date lies in the research examining herniation (gastroschisis and omphalocele), oral clefts (cleft lip with or without palate and cleft palate) and cardiac defects. There is less consistent evidence supporting the association between prenatal alcohol exposure and anomalies of gastrointestinal system, diaphragmatic hernia, genitourinary system and neural tube defects. We found no material support for PAE and choanal atresia, biliary atresia or clubfoot.
Introduction:
Major birth defects result in biological, psychological, behavioral and lifestyle consequences which can lead to long-term disabilities and fetal death. They affect 3% of births in the United States [1], and approximately 3.2 million children per year worldwide [2]. Congenital defects are usually defined as structural or functional abnormalities occurring during gestation, at or before birth [3]. They could be syndromic (involving different organ systems) or isolated [4]. Although the causes of most major birth…
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