Determining the pattern and prevalence of alcohol consumption in pregnancy by measuring biomarkers in meconium.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility of determining the pattern and prevalence of alcohol consumption in pregnancy by measuring ethanol biomarkers in meconium.


DESIGN
Population-based observational study.


SETTING
Inner-city maternity unit in Scotland, UK.


POPULATION
Random sample of singleton infants delivered after 36 completed weeks' gestation.


METHODS
Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) and ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in meconium were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Samples were frozen at -20°C before analysis. Results were compared anonymously with demographic data including maternal age, parity, smoking, ethnicity and postcode and with infant gestation, birth weight and head circumference. Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects.


RESULTS
235 samples of meconium were analysed (70% of eligible babies). Only four (1%) of mothers declined to participate. FAAEs were detected in all, including four samples below the limit of quantification (10 ng/g). 98 (42%) samples had FAEE concentrations >600 ng/g. EtG was detectable in 93 (40%) samples; in 35 (15%) EtG concentration was >30 ng/g. No mother reported heavy alcohol consumption in pregnancy. FAAE concentration correlated with EtG (Pearson's coefficient; p<0.001). There was no association between either biomarker and maternal age, parity, smoking, ethnicity or postcode, or infant gestation, birth weight or head circumference.


CONCLUSION
Measurement of ethanol biomarkers in meconium is a feasible tool for determining the pattern and prevalence of alcohol consumption in pregnancy. Data suggest that at least 15% of pregnant women in the west of Scotland are consuming significant quantities of alcohol during latter pregnancy.
['Abernethy|Carolyn|C|', 'McCall|Karen E|KE|', 'Cooper|Gail|G|', 'Favretto|Donata|D|', 'Vaiano|Fabio|F|', 'Bertol|Elisabetta|E|', 'Mactier|Helen|H|']
D000328:Adult D000428:Alcohol Drinking D015415:Biomarkers D000431:Ethanol D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007231:Infant, Newborn D008297:Male D008470:Meconium D011247:Pregnancy D015995:Prevalence D012606:Scotland D055815:Young Adult
meconium fatty acid ethyl esters ethylglucuronide newborn