Alcohol and nicotine consumption during pregnancy: prevalence, predictors and effects on early child development

Abstract

Background and Aim Prenatal exposure to alcohol and nicotine poses one of the highest risks for a healthy child development. The aim of this dissertation was to analyse current literature on effects of high- and low to moderate prenatal exposure on early child development. Consumption prevalence during all stages of pregnancy and factors that may predict the consumption were estimated based on a dataset. Methods To analyse the effects of consumption on early child development, a comprehensive and systematic literature review was conducted, using the electronic databases Pubmed, Science Direct and Web of Science (publication I and II). The analysis of consumption prevalence and predictors (publication III) was realized with a dataset of 260 pregnant women participating in the Bremen initiative to strengthen early childhood development (BRISE) in Germany. Results Literature reviews showed that besides high consumption amounts even exposure of low to moderate amounts poses a risk for healthy child development. BRISE-data indicated that women consumed alcohol and nicotine during all stages of pregnancy but primarily until confirmation of pregnancy. Social support, age, Islamic cultural background and pregnancy planning seemed to predict the consumption of alcohol. Education and pregnancy planning appeared to predict the consumption of nicotine during pregnancy. Conclusions When discussing prenatal alcohol and nicotine exposure, alongside effects on early child development, it is essential to address aspects like consumption prevalence and predictive factors. By sharing such scientifically and socio-politically relevant findings to experts in the social and health system, prevention and education measures can be made more effective.