Behavioral Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure May Be Permanent

It has become common knowledge that exposure to alcohol during the second and third trimester of pregnancy can be detrimental to the fetus. Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE) can lead to problems with proper growth, facial abnormalities,neurodevelopmental abnormalities of the central nervous system and other postpartum defects in the offspring. However, little is known about the effects of PAE on behavioral problems. Previous studies have shown that PAE and fetus alcohol syndrome (FAS) has negative effects of the acquisition of knowledge and on other cognitive abilities. But, the question of behavior was relatively unstudied. 

A new study by the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, sheds light on the behavioral effects of PAE and the long term consequences. In a longitudinal study that spanned 22 years, researchers interviewed the mothers throughout their pregnancy at 4 and 7 months and again at delivery. In the postpartum, mothers and offspring were seen at various points from age 8 months until 22 years. At 22 years, the adult offspring were assessed on internalizing and/or externalizing behaviors, attention problems, the critical items scale, and a total score through self-report. 

The findings prove that offspring of mothers who drank routinely throughout pregnancy were more likely to have behavioral problems than those who were not exposed to alcohol or only exposed in the first trimester. This finding may prove that the effects of PAE on behavior may in fact be permanent.  Binge drinking was also tested but showed no significant differences leading researchers to believe that any exposure to alcohol leaves offspring at a higher risk for behavioral problems as well as other defects. 

[SOURCE]