NUCCA News - Problem drinkers linked to exposure in the womb

Last Updated Tue, 15 Apr 2003 11:51:08

WASHINGTON - Pregnant women who drink alcohol could triple their child's risk of developing a drinking problem, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of Washington followed 433 families. They quizzed the women about their family history and their drinking habits. More than 20 years later, they followed up with the families.

All the women were primarily white, middle-class and well-educated.

The researchers discovered that in expectant mothers who had one or more episodes where they drank five or more drinks, 14 per cent of children had drinking problems by age 21. That compares to 4.5 per cent who developed drinking problems and but were not as heavily exposed to alcohol.

As well, eight per cent of the children were exhibiting symptoms of alcohol dependence.

Consuming five or more alcoholic drinks is considered binge drinking. A U.S. government review of drug abuse in 2001 found about three per cent of pregnant women fall into this category.

John Baer, the study's co-author, says exposure to alcohol can foretell the kind of alcoholic problems a child will have in adulthood.

He says the results have given doctors "a step further in understanding why some people have alcohol problems."

The study is published in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry.

Other studies have shown a family history of drinking, drug use and even exposure to cigarettes can increase the risk of alcohol abuse in children.

In this study, exposure to nicotine and to family drinking later in life showed no connection to the child becoming a problem drinker.

Written by CBC News Online staff