Researchers have uncovered the alarming effects of alcohol exposure on the developing fetus, even in the earliest stages of pregnancy. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder can have serious long-term consequences, underscoring the importance of early detection and intervention. This blog post delves into the latest findings and the potential for new diagnostic tools to identify alcohol exposure during gestation.
Understanding Alcohol’s Effect on Molecular Biology
When it comes to the effect of alcohol exposure on fetuses, there may be no such thing as a safe amount, even in the earliest stages of pregnancy; according to a study published in Molecular Psychiatry by researchers at Université de Montréal earlier this year.
Published in the journal Environment International, a study used a mouse model to take an in-depth look at what happens when you infuse alcohol into growing embryos at the preimplantation stage, which is when the fertilized egg transforms itself from a single cell into about 100 cells. These included striking molecular differences in the placenta, such as changes in gene expression and DNA methylation patterns.
The epigenetic alterations, molecular “switches” that can impact gene expression, are predicted to be associated with a broad range of outcomes in the child. While it also showed alcohol is bad for the placenta, including triggering a higher number of macrophages moving into the organ, it suggested not just the physical damage but these complicated molecular changes are determining how well or poorly an individual pregnancy ultimately goes.
Molecular Signatures of Alcohol Exposure Detection
A key insight from the current study is that DNA methylation profiles have great promise as sensitive molecular markers for identifying alcohol exposure during early pregnancy. This proof-of-concept opens up the possibility of developing diagnostic assays to detect alcohol exposure during the first days after birth.
At present, no rational molecular test exists for prenatal alcohol exposure, leading to partial diagnosis in the earlier years of school or adolescence. This can be problematic to the learning of such children as it may present issues in concentration or cause b e havioural problems.
A screening test designed to recognize the molecular ‘memory’ of alcohol exposure detected in the placenta might allow for early treatment and proper holistic care, preventing some of the long-term consequences of FASD.
Tackling Alcohol Use in Pregnancy
This study has special significance when viewed against the backdrop of the dangerous global surge in drinking among women, according to a report from the World Health Organization about half of all pregnancies are unplanned, so there’s a high likelihood that alcohol exposure will have occurred in the vital first trimester before women know they’re pregnant.
The study focused on a model of heavy drinking based on five to six drinks in one hour, the researchers say. It is a common situation because women have no idea they are pregnant in those early weeks but attend social events and casual gatherings where they drink heavily.
Publicizing the significant and permanent consequences of that alcohol exposure, then — such as in this research — helps drive home the importance of high levels of awareness and education about what happens to any alcohol consumed even very early in pregnancy. How early diagnosis and intervention could help children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in the long term?
