The Effects of Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse on Maternal Nutritional Profile during Pregnancy

Abstract

The consumption of alcohol and drugs of abuse among pregnant women has experienced a significant increase in the last decades. Suitable maternal nutritional status is crucial to maintain the optimal environment for fetal development but if consumption of alcohol or drugs of abuse disrupt the intake of nutrients, the potential teratogenic effects of these substances increase. Despite evidence of the importance of nutrition in addicted pregnant women, there is a lack of information on the effects of alcohol and drugs of abuse on maternal nutritional status; so, the focus of this review was to provide an overview on the nutritional status of addicted mothers and fetuses. Alcohol and drugs consumption can interfere with the absorption of nutrients, impairing the quality and quantity of proper nutrient and energy intake, resulting in malnutrition especially of micronutrients (vitamins, omega–3, folic acid, zinc, choline, iron, copper, selenium). When maternal nutritional status is compromised by alcohol and drugs of abuse the supply of essential nutrients are not available for the fetus; this can result in fetal abnormalities like Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). It is critical to find a strategy to reduce fetal physical and neurological impairment as a result of prenatal alcohol and drugs of abuse exposure combined with poor maternal nutrition. Prenatal nutrition interventions and target therapy are required that may reverse the development of such abnormalities.

Immunological Role of the Maternal Uterine Microbiome in Pregnancy: Pregnancies Pathologies and Alterated Microbiota

“…Exposure to drugs and teratogens during pregnancy are associated with IUGR. Cigarette, opiate, alcohol, and cocaine use cause fetal growth restriction directly and by decreasing maternal food intake (140,141). Even prescription medications like anticonvulsants, antineoplastic agents, and antithrombotic drugs are teratogens and can result in fetal growth restriction (142,143).…”

Caffeine, alcohol, khat, and tobacco use during pregnancy in Butajira, South Central Ethiopia

“…Moreover, alcohol consumption can interfere with the absorption of nutrients, impairing the quality and quantity of proper nutrient and energy intake, resulting in malnutrition especially of micronutrients such as vitamins, omega-3, folic acid, zinc, choline, iron, copper, and selenium [63]. When maternal nutritional status is compromised by alcohol the supply of essential nutrients are not available for the fetus; this can result in fetal abnormalities like Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder [64], low birth weight (21), and small for gestational age (22). This indicated the need of alcohol consumption intervention program among pregnant women to prevent these adverse pregnancy outcomes.…”

Altered Maternal Plasma Fatty Acid Composition by Alcohol Consumption and Smoking during Pregnancy and Associations with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

“…Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) encompass all alcohol-related birth defects including fetal alcohol syndrome and alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders. Since alcohol consumption can aggravate nutrient deficiencies, it has been suggested that maternal nutritional status plays a role in the risk for FASD (3)(4)(5). In addition, rates of cigarette smoking during pregnancy are often higher among women who consume alcohol creating additional consequences to nutritional status, as well as increasing odd ratios for preterm birth, low birth weight, and growth restriction beyond either alcohol or cigarette use alone (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11).…”