Prenatal alcohol exposure changes babies’ faces, suggesting possible neuro effects
Mothers-to-be who drink alcohol, even in modest amounts, are putting their babies at risk of facial changes—and the differences may point to effects in the brain.
That’s according to researchers at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Australia, who report that the effects they observed were subtle yet sure.
The team used 3D facial analysis and mapped thousands of points on the faces of more several hundred 1-year-olds. They found changes in the nose, lips and eyes of babies who were exposed to any amount of alcohol while in utero.
The findings were published online June 5 in JAMA Pediatrics.
The authors plan to follow the children’s neurodevelopment as well as their facial development.
“Although the magnitude of the association was variable, we observed very similar anatomical differences using almost every prenatal alcohol exposure categorization, which essentially constitutes several replications of the findings and demonstrates their robustness,” they write.
“A link between these facial changes and brain structure and functioning remains to be investigated,” they add. “[I]n the meantime, we provide additional evidence for an association between alcohol consumption and the developing fetus.”
The journal has posted the study in full for free.
To read the news from the Murdoch institute, click here.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.