It’s been known for some time that fetal alcohol exposure can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, resulting in low birth weight, neurodevelopmental problems, and other issues. Alcohol exposure during pregnancy can also lead to preterm birth, stillbirth, and miscarriage.
A new study[i] from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health looks at the prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) among reproductive-age women and the barriers they face in getting treatment. Analyzing a national database, the researchers found that:
- AUD Prevalence: About 6.3% of pregnant women, 6.6% of parenting women, and 13% of women who were neither pregnant nor parenting had AUD in the past year.
- Risk Factors: Consistent with previous research, women with higher education and those living in metropolitan areas were at a higher risk of AUD.
- Child-Free Women and AUD: Non-pregnant, non-parenting women were at a higher risk of AUD. This group is also at greater risk of unintentional alcohol exposure during unplanned pregnancies. With nearly half of pregnancies being unintended, the study highlights the risk of fetal alcohol exposure.
- COVID-19 Impact: Around 2020, AUD rates increased, likely due to heightened alcohol use during the pandemic.
- Low Treatment Rates: Less than 6% of women with AUD receive treatment, even though pregnant women are prioritized for care. Financial barriers and a failure to prioritize good prenatal health were the most common reasons women didn’t seek treatment.
- Arrests and Treatment: Women with a history of arrests were more likely to receive AUD treatment, likely due to court-mandated programs or a desire to reunite with children after legal troubles.
- The Need for Awareness: The study calls for increased education about the risks of alcohol use during pregnancy and parenting. This includes targeting pregnant women, their families, and healthcare providers to raise awareness about the importance of stopping alcohol use at any stage of pregnancy.
The study author also raises concerns about the simultaneous maternal use of drugs and alcohol during pregnancy:
“In the context of the ongoing opioid epidemic, which has witnessed a nearly threefold increase in drug overdose mortality during pregnancy, it is vital to acknowledge the frequent co-occurrence of AUD with other substance use. Specifically, 38% of pregnant individuals report using at least one other substance alongside alcohol. Neuroimaging research confirms that exposure to multiple substances during pregnancy has enduring effects on offspring’s brain structure and cognitive function. This underscores the urgent need to address untreated addictions in reproductive-age women.”
Overall, the study emphasizes the need for better interventions, more accessible treatment options, and greater awareness to help women of childbearing age who struggle with AUD.
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[i] https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0301810
