A new study of over 400 Australian women has found that alcohol consumption around the time of conception can harm the growth of the placenta, potentially affecting a baby’s development.
Conducted by Mater Research at Brisbane’s Translational Research Institute (TRI), the study supports earlier research that shows alcohol intake, even before conception, can negatively impact placental development.
Dr. Sarah Steane, part of the research team, stated that this is one of the first studies to use Doppler ultrasound measurements of placental function in relation to alcohol consumption. The findings revealed that 1 in 6 women who drank alcohol around conception showed abnormal placental function, compared to just 1 in 45 women who abstained from alcohol. This suggests that women who drink around conception are 9 times more likely to experience placental issues.
However, the study also found hope in its results. Women who took the recommended amount of folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy were less likely to show these abnormal ultrasound measurements. Choline, another important nutrient found in protein-rich foods, also played a role, but less than a third of women in the study had sufficient levels of choline in their diet.
Dr. Steane emphasized that while folate and choline may help protect against alcohol’s negative effects on the placenta, further research is needed to fully understand their combined role.
Professor Vicki Clifton, leader of the Mater Research Pregnancy and Development Group, stressed the importance of following national guidelines, which recommend avoiding alcohol when planning for a baby. She also acknowledged that some women may unintentionally conceive after drinking and advised that a diet rich in folate and choline, including foods like eggs and red meat, can help support pregnancy.
Professor Clifton urged pregnant women under 24 weeks gestation to consider joining the ongoing Queensland Family Cohort Study, which will continue to explore the effects of alcohol and micronutrients during pregnancy.
Related topics:
