Moderate prenatal alcohol exposure was associated with a modest increase in adolescent learning and behavioural difficulties
Objective
To determine whether an association exists between prenatal alcohol exposure and behavioural and learning difficulties in early adolescence.
Design
Population based cohort study from the Seattle Longitudinal Prospective Study on Alcohol and Pregnancy.
Setting
USA.
Participants
250 infants of women who reported social alcohol use during pregnancy and 250 infants of women who reported infrequent or no alcohol use during pregnancy were selected in 1974–5 and followed up to a mean age of 14.5 years. Mothers were predominantly white, married, middle class, 20–30 years of age, and at low risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. 249 boys and 215 girls completed the 14 year follow up.
Assessment of risk factors
Mothers were interviewed during the fifth month of pregnancy about early and mid-pregnancy alcohol use, demographics, pregnancy history, nutrition, and use of caffeine, tobacco, and illicit and prescription drugs. Net prenatal alcohol exposure was assigned a composite score based on the weighted average of 13 consumption scores. 78% of mothers reported some drinking during mid-pregnancy. …
