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Cited by 461Prenatal Substance Exposure EffectsAlcohol Consumption and Health EffectsSubstance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Systematic review of effects of low–moderate prenatal alcohol exposure on pregnancy outcome

Henderson, J, Gray, R, Brocklehurst, P·2007·BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
DOI 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2006.01163.x
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Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to review systematically the available evidence on studies in humans on the effects of low–moderate levels of prenatal alcohol consumption (up to 10.4 UK units or 83 g/week) compared with consumption of no alcohol on pregnancy outcome. Design Systematic review. Population Pregnant women or women who are trying to become pregnant. Methods The search strategy included Medline, Embase, Cinahl and PsychInfo for the years 1970–2005. Titles and abstracts were read by two researchers and inclusion/exclusion being decided according to prespecified criteria. All the included articles were then obtained and read in full by the two researchers to decide on inclusion. The articles were assessed for quality using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scales. Main outcome measures Outcomes considered were miscarriage, stillbirth, intrauterine growth restriction, prematurity, birthweight, small for gestational age at birth and birth defects including fetal alcohol syndrome. Results The search resulted in 3630 titles and abstracts, which were narrowed down to 46 relevant articles. At low–moderate levels of consumption, there were no consistently significant effects of alcohol on any of the outcomes considered. Many of the reported studies had methodological weaknesses. Conclusions This systematic review found no convincing evidence of adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure at low–moderate levels of exposure. However, weaknesses in the evidence preclude the conclusion that drinking at these levels during pregnancy is safe.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2006.01163.x

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53 of 53 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The healthy drinker effect explains the paradox: women with poor obstetric prognosis, socio-economic status or well-being are more likely to abstain from drinking alcohol.

    “The possible explanation provided for this paradox is the “healthy drinker effect”, in which women with poor obstetric prognosis, socio-economic status or well-being are more likely to abstain from drinking alcohol [50, 51].”

    From Associations between periconceptional lifestyle behaviours and adverse pregnancy outcomes (2021) · cites this paper as [50]

  • Heavy alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of low birth weight and preterm birth.

    “Several previous studies indicated that (heavy) alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of low birth weight and preterm birth, while light alcohol consumption may possibly have a mildly protective effect on these outcomes [50, 51].”

    From Associations between periconceptional lifestyle behaviours and adverse pregnancy outcomes (2021) · cites this paper as [50]

  • Light alcohol consumption may possibly have a mildly protective effect on low birth weight and preterm birth.

    “Several previous studies indicated that (heavy) alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of low birth weight and preterm birth, while light alcohol consumption may possibly have a mildly protective effect on these outcomes [50, 51].”

    From Associations between periconceptional lifestyle behaviours and adverse pregnancy outcomes (2021) · cites this paper as [50]

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Related

Authors
Henderson, J., Gray, R., & Brocklehurst, P.
Affiliations
University of Oxford (GB)
Corresponding author
Gray, R
ORCID
Venue
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2007-01-18
Volume
114
Issue
3
Pages
243-252
ISSN
  • 0306-5456 (ISSN-L)
  • 1470-0328
  • 1471-0528
DOI
10.1111/j.1471-0528.2006.01163.x
OpenAlex
W2029269100
Cited by
461
References
55
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 44 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 28 · 2014: 44 · 2013: 38 · 2012: 27
FWCI
3.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Update notices
erratum (2007-06-12)
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
Keywords
prenatal alcohol exposure, pregnancy outcomes, miscarriage, stillbirth, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, birth weight, small for gestational age, fetal alcohol syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, maternal alcohol consumption
MeSH terms
Abnormalities, Drug-Induced, Abortion, Spontaneous, Alcohol Drinking, Female, Fetal Growth Retardation, Humans, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Outcome, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Premature Birth, Stillbirth

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