Impact of fetal alcohol exposure on body systems: A systematic review

• Published in: Birth defects research. Part C. Embryo today Vol. 108; no. 2; pp. 174 - 180
• Main Authors: Caputo, Courtney, Wood, Erin, Jabbour, Leila
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.06.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Abnormalities, Multiple; Alcohol Drinking - physiopathology; alcohol-related birth defects; Brain - abnormalities; Brain - drug effects; Ethanol - adverse effects; Female; fetal alcohol spectrum disorders; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - etiology; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - physiopathology; fetal alcohol syndrome; Fetal Development - drug effects; Fetus; Human Body; Humans; Pregnancy; prenatal alcohol exposure; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - chemically induced; fetal alcohol syndrome; fetal alcohol spectrum disorders; prenatal alcohol exposure; alcohol-related birth defects
• ISSN: 1542-975X; 1542-9768
• DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.21129

Review of published manuscripts on fetal alcohol exposure on several body systems. Method Articles in this review were found online using databases such as Medline, Medline Complete, PubMed, and Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition. The following terms were searched: fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, fetal alcohol syndrome, prenatal alcohol exposure, and alcohol related birth defects. Results Thirteen articles were gathered, five original investigations and eight reviews. This review identified several abnormalities in the body systems discussed and their associations to fetal alcohol syndrome. Conclusions Evidence shows that the brain was the most severely impacted organ of the body systems discussed. However, prenatal alcohol exposure causes several abnormalities within the heart, kidney, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and the endocrine systems. In addition, preventative measures need to be taken by mothers during pregnancy. Birth Defects Research (Part C), 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 108:174–180, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.