The role of prenatal alcohol exposure in abruptio placentae
Date
2010-12
Authors
Du Toit, M. M.
Smith, M.
Odendaal, H. J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health and Medical Publishing Group (HMPG)
Abstract
Objective. To investigate the association between preconception and
prenatal alcohol use and abruptio placentae.
Methods. A case-control study of women with the clinical
diagnosis of abruptio placentae, 65 cases and 66 controls, at
Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Western Cape, South Africa. Women
in whom a retroplacental blood clot, covering at least 15% of the
placental surface, was found at delivery at 24 weeks’ gestation or
later were asked to complete a timeline follow-back questionnaire to
determine their alcohol intake 12 and 3 months before and during
pregnancy. The same questionnaire was administered to a control
group of high-risk women who had no antepartum haemorrhage.
Outcome. Women who drank alcohol 12 months before
conception were more than 4 times more likely to develop abruptio
placentae than the control group (odds ratio (OR) 4.49, p=0.00009).
Women who drank alcohol 3 months prior to conception were 3
times more likely to develop abruptio placentae than the control
group (OR 3.06, p=0.003). Drinking alcoholic beverages during
pregnancy carried a more than 3 times greater risk of developing
abruptio placentae (OR 3.52, p=0.0006). In the study group, women
consumed a mean of 13.6, 12.0 and 11.2 standard drinks in a typical
week at 12 and 3 months before and during pregnancy, respectively.
The study group demonstrated a binge-drinking pattern, with two
to four sessions per month.
Conclusion. An association was found between preconception
and prenatal consumption of alcohol and abruptio placentae.
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
Keywords
Alcoholism in pregnancy, Abruptio placentae
Citation
Du Toit, M. M., Smith, M. & Odendaal, H. J. 2010. The role of prenatal alcohol exposure in abruptio placentae. South African Medical Journal, 100(12):832-835.