Alcohol teratogenicity in the human: A detailed assessment of specificity, critical period, and threshold

Ernhart, Claire B.; Sokol, Robert J.; Martier, Susan S.; Moron, P; Nadler, Debra; Ager, Joel W.; Wolf, Abraham W.

doi:10.1016/0002-9378(87)90199-2

Cited by 160 publications

(51 citation statements)

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“…The effects of chronic exposure of the adult myocardium to ethanol have been well studied in both humans and laboratory ani mals [14][15][16][17], Information on the acute, in vitro effects of ethanol on cardiac action potentials is limited to studies using adult frogs, dogs, guinea pigs, rats, or mice [18][19][20][21][22][23][24], The results of these studies have been used in an attempt to understand the effects of this drug on the human heart. Interestingand durations were 112 ± 10 max?…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Moderate Concentration of Ethanol Alters Cellular Membrane Potentials and Decreases Contractile Force of Human Fetal Heart

Richards

Kulkarni²,

Brooks³

et al. 1989

Dev Pharmacol Ther

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The effects of ethanol, although well studied in the adult myocardium, have been little studied in fetal tissue. Experiments in pregnant animals suggest that ethanol compromises fetal myocardial performance, in utero; however, the physiological mechanism(s) remains obscure. The present report examines, in vitro, the effects of a moderate concentration of ethanol (20 mM) directly on cell membrane potentials and contractility of human fetal left ventricle as determined using intracellular microelectrodes and microforce transducers. We observed significant decreases in action potential amplitude, upstroke velocity, duration of repolarization, and the force of contractions. These effects were reversible. As ethanol crosses the placenta, our findings suggest that moderate concentrations of ethanol, as occur during 'social drinking', may temporarily compromise fetal myocardial performance in utero.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Moderate Concentration of Ethanol Alters Cellular Membrane Potentials and Decreases Contractile Force of Human Fetal Heart

Richards

Kulkarni²,

Brooks³

et al. 1989

Dev Pharmacol Ther

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“…23,24 Recently, animal experiments have shown that the consequences of fetal alcohol exposure are not restricted to the 1st trimester of pregnancy but have consequences throughout pregnancy. 25 No statistically signi cant differences between the alcohol groups were found in the behaviour of the infants at 3 and 7 months of age. A study by Aronson et al reports behavioural problems in children aged 11-14 years who were exposed to alcohol in utero.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Infants exposed to alcohol prenatally: outcome at 3 and 7 months of age

Kleinhout

et al. 2001

Ann. Trop. Paed.

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To investigate early recognition of the consequences of alcohol exposure in utero, we studied 79 infants at the ages of 3 and 7 months. Twenty-nine of them were exposed to varying levels of maternal alcohol intake and 50 had no exposure and formed a control group. Special attention was paid to fetal alcohol syndrome-related facial features, neurological development and behavioural performance of the infants. To monitor facial features, pictures were taken at 3 and 7 months of age. Significant differences in facial features were found between the alcohol-exposed and non-exposed children at 3 months only. An age-adequate neurological examination showed no significant difference at 3 months but a significant difference at 7 months of age between the alcohol-exposed infants and the controls. Mothers reported more misbehaviour in the exposed than in the non-exposed group. These results indicate that it is possible to recognise alcohol-related defects within the 1st year of life thus allowing early intervention.

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“…In the first month of human gestation maternal ethanol drinking is associated with a great incidence of craniofacial and neuronal tube anomalies. In addition, increased neural crest cell death was noted (Ernhart et al, 1987). In the second trimester alcohol exposure reduces the number of neurons and glia cells in the neocortex and induces changes in radial glia as well as neuronal proliferation, generation, and migration (Miller, 1995).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%