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Study Helps Explain Why Some Women Can Drink Safely in Pregnancy
How much to drink depends on the baby
Researchers from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine have just released a study that may help explain why some fetuses of moms who drink suffer negative outcomes, while others do not.
The debate over whether and how much pregnant women can safely drink is a complex one, with some recent studies actually showing that kids of mothers who drink lightly in pregnancy have improved outcomes in certain measures. Meanwhile, as researchers noted in the current study, alcohol consumption in pregnancy is still considered one of the “most prevalent non-genetic causes of neurodevelopmental deficits.”
Here’s what the Northwestern researchers say might help explain some of the confusion:
The crux of their findings is that certain fetuses have a form of the gene Dio3 (which codes for an enzyme that controls thyroid hormone) that makes them vulnerable to the effects of alcohol.
Certain versions of the Dio3 gene make for a low production of the thyroid hormone-stabilizing enzyme, which then translates into an excess of thyroid hormones. When a mother passes on a version of this gene to her boy fetus, the brain’s hippocampus (important for learning and memory) becomes vulnerable to the effects of even moderate amounts of alcohol.
The researchers gave rat mothers in the study the human equivalent of two to three glasses of wine a day. The fetuses who had inherited this specific version of the Dio3 gene showed significant deficits in social behavior and memory, while others were unaffected.
This is an example of the principle that one size does not fit all when it comes to environmental influences on the brain. Moderate alcohol (although I would classify two to three drinks a day as more than moderate) will affect each baby uniquely based on his or her particular genetic makeup. Same goes for many of the other influences like diet and environmental exposures in pregnancy.
How do you feel about the safety of alcohol in pregnancy?
Image: flickr
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10 Comments
Jessie commented on Mar 29 11 at 9:15 pmSounds like the only “safe” amount is none, since there is no way to know what your baby’s particular genetic makeup will be. Some people get lucky, but in this case I’d rather be safe than sorry.
Dana commented on Mar 29 11 at 10:38 pmWould you put Pinot grigio in your baby’s bottle? Then you shouldn’t drink while pregnant.
Katy E commented on Mar 29 11 at 10:43 pmBut what about rat mothers who drank the human equivalent of 1-2 drinks a WEEK or less? What about them? That’s the definition of “minimal drinking”. Because when I think of 2-3 drinks a day, I think “alcohol problem” regardless of pregnant or not. So this study doesn’t really answer the question in any way. I’ll still have an occasional beer or glass of wine. Feel free to police someone else.
Leah commented on Mar 29 11 at 11:41 pmI did not know I was pregnant until 7 months along. Believe it or not I don’t care haha. I am not a big drinker but cannot deny that I drank a glass of red wine with dinner here and there. My baby girl is healthy. She has been sick less than other babies in our mommy group, and she is developing either right on track or a bit ahead. I would never drink a drop if I get pregnant again but it’s a neat observation.
Patsy commented on Mar 29 11 at 11:50 pmNot worth the risk.
Allison Zapata commented on Mar 30 11 at 12:06 pmI am pregnant.
I have a glass of wine occasionally with dinner. I did the same with my son.
LK commented on Mar 30 11 at 5:50 pmYeah, 2-3 glasses of wine per day is an alcohol problem whether you’re pregnant or not. This study says nothing about the real point of contention – i.e., whether it’s ok to have and occasional glass of wine or beer while pregnant, and by “occasional” I mean about 1 glass per week at most. Show me one study that demonstrates this type of drinking during pregnancy is harmful. Bet you can’t.
heatherturgeon commented on Mar 30 11 at 6:16 pm@ Katy E: no police here at all :) I personally felt comfortable having an occasional glass of wine, especially later in pregnancy. @LK: I take studies like these to be less about testing for the exact limits or safe amounts and more about investigating a certain biological mechanism. In fact, as I mentioned, I’m pretty sure when they test outcomes for women who drink 1 glass per week they show no difference or improved outcomes (aren’t i recalling that from a recent study?). Thanks for your feedback everyone!
Sarah B commented on Mar 30 11 at 9:20 pmI think that having half a glass, or maybe a full glass, once or twice a week with dinner is perfectly fine, enzyme or not. I think it would be impossible to effect a baby’s growth or intelligence with that amount. I think of all of the others things that we say no to while pregnant (ie. sushi, deli meat, meat that is not well done, soft cheeses) and I think about all of these other women in other countries or hell, our own mothers in years past, who didn’t know about the risks and we, and they, are perfectly fine. Moderation is the key to life and the key to being pregnant.
Jamie commented on Mar 31 11 at 9:53 amI’m 31 weeks pregnant right now and have definitely allowed myself my “allotment” of 2-3 glasses of wine a week. During the second trimester, I felt like I really wanted an occasional beverage when out with my husband or with friends. I have chose to rely on science and not scare-mongers in making this decision. My doctor has assured me that, in fact, there are no negative impacts of having 2-3 glasses of wine a week with dinner or what have you. He also let me in on a study that looked at young girls who became pregnant (think high schoolers) and were going out drinking and getting drunk every Friday night (basically consuming 3-5 drinks but all in one night). Physicians studied these girls and their babies to try and prove to them how damaging alcohol consumption can be during pregnancy. But, the study ended up backfiring because these babies were born healthy and normal. These teens were not drinking daily but concentrated their consumption. 2-6 units a week of alcohol is what my doctor says is known to be completely safe (that’s probably 3 glasses of wine a week), so I have enjoyed mine guilt-free. In the third trimester, my desire for vino has faded a bit, so now I just order my ginger ale with dinner. Another point my doctor makes about alcohol is that women who give birth to children with fetal alcohol syndrome not only consume large amounts of alcohol, but their diets are typically poor and that the lack of proper nutrition for the baby is just as damaging (if not more) than the alcohol.
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