A DTI-based tractography study of effects on brain structure associated with prenatal alcohol exposure in newborns

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can lead to cognitive, behavioural, and social-emotional challenges. Previous neuroimaging research has identified alterations to brain structure in newborns, older children, adolescents, and adults with PAE; however, little is known about brain structure in young children. Extensive brain development takes place during early childhood; therefore, understanding the neurological profiles of young children with PAE is critical for early identification and effective intervention. We studied 54 children (5.21 +/- 1.11 years; 27 males) with confirmed PAE compared to 54 age- and sex-matched children without PAE. Children underwent diffusion tensor imaging between 2 and 7 years of age. Mean fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were obtained for 10 major white matter tracts, along with tract volume, axial and radial diffusivity (AD, RD). A univariate analysis of covariance was conducted to test for group differences (PAE vs. control) controlling for age, sex and tract volume. Our results reveal white matter microstructural differences between young children with PAE and unexposed controls. The PAE group had higher FA and/or lower MD (as well as lower AD and RD) in the genu and the body of the corpus callosum, as well as the bilateral uncinate fasciculus and pyramidal tracts. Our findings align with studies of newborns with PAE finding lower AD, but contrast those in older populations with PAE, which consistently report lower FA and higher MD. These findings may reflect premature development of white matter that may then plateau too early, leading to the lower FA/higher MD observed at older ages.

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Early School Years follow up of the Asking Questions in Alcohol Longitudinal Study in Melbourne, Australia (AQUA at 6): Cohort profile

10.1101/2021.06.17.21259124 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Evelyne Muggli ◽

Jane Halliday ◽

Elizabeth Elliott ◽

Anthony Penington ◽

Deanne K Thompson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Binge Drinking ◽

Brain Structure ◽

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽

Neuropsychological Functioning ◽

Alcohol Exposure ◽

Early School ◽

Asking Questions ◽

Prenatal Alcohol ◽

The Relationship

Purpose The Asking Questions about Alcohol in Pregnancy (AQUA) study, established in 2011, is a pre-birth cohort of 1570 mother and child pairs designed to assess the effects of low to moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and sporadic binge drinking on long-term child development. The current follow-up of the children, now aged 6 to 8 years, aims to strengthen our understanding of the relationship between these levels of prenatal alcohol exposure and neuropsychological functioning, facial dysmorphology, and brain structure & function. Findings to date Over half (59%) of mothers consumed some alcohol during pregnancy, with one in five reporting at least one binge drinking episode prior to pregnancy recognition. Children's craniofacial shape was examined at 12 months of age, and low to moderate prenatal alcohol exposure was associated with subtle midface changes. At two years of age, formal developmental assessments showed no evidence that cognitive, language or motor outcome was associated with any of the prenatal alcohol exposures investigated. Participants Between June 2018 and April 2021, 802 of the 1342 eligible AQUA study families completed a parent-report questionnaire (60%). Restrictions associated with COVID-19 pandemic disrupted recruitment, but early school-age neuropsychological assessments were undertaken with 696 children (52%), and 482 (36%) craniofacial images were collected. A pre-planned, exposure-representative subset of 146 random children completed a brain MRI. The existing AQUA study biobank was extended through collection of 427 (32%) child buccal swabs. Future plans We will investigate the relationship between prenatal alcohol exposure and specific aspects of neurodevelopment at 6-8 years, including brain structure & function. We will also determine whether craniofacial changes identified at 12 months of age are predictive of later developmental impairments. The contribution of genetics and epigenetics to individual variations in outcomes will be examined in conjunction with established and future national and international collaborations.

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Complex Trauma and Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: Clinical Implications

Perspectives on School-Based Issues ◽

10.1044/sbi13.2.32 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 32-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Yvette D. Hyter

Keyword(s):

Central Nervous System ◽

Nervous System ◽

Child Development ◽

Academic Outcomes ◽

Complex Trauma ◽

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽

Alcohol Exposure ◽

Clinical Implications ◽

Prenatal Alcohol ◽

The Brain

Abstract Complex trauma resulting from chronic maltreatment and prenatal alcohol exposure can significantly affect child development and academic outcomes. Children with histories of maltreatment and those with prenatal alcohol exposure exhibit remarkably similar central nervous system impairments. In this article, I will review the effects of each on the brain and discuss clinical implications for these populations of children.

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Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Tied to Conduct Problems

Ob Gyn News ◽

10.1016/s0029-7437(07)71051-0 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 10

Author(s):

MARY ANN MOON

Keyword(s):

Conduct Problems ◽

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽

Alcohol Exposure ◽

Prenatal Alcohol

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Prenatal alcohol exposure and signs of minor neurological dysfunction at preschool age

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology ◽

10.1017/s0012162200000979 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 42 (8) ◽

pp. 508-514 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Béatrice Larroque ◽

Monique Kaminski ◽

Phillipe Dehaene ◽

Damien Subtil ◽

Denis Querleu

Keyword(s):

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽

Alcohol Exposure ◽

Preschool Age ◽

Neurological Dysfunction ◽

Minor Neurological Dysfunction ◽

Prenatal Alcohol

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Impact of Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure on Problem Behaviors in Preschool and School Children

Zeitschrift für Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie ◽

10.1026/0049-8637/a000106 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 46 (2) ◽

pp. 89-100 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Manuela Pfinder ◽

Stefan Liebig ◽

Reinhold Feldmann

Keyword(s):

Problem Behaviors ◽

Tobacco Smoke ◽

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽

Alcohol Exposure ◽

Smoke Exposure ◽

Low Ses ◽

German Health ◽

Kiggs Study ◽

Strengths And Difficulties ◽

Prenatal Alcohol

Data on the relation between moderate prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and behavioral disorders are inconsistent, and this raises new questions. We examined (1) the association between moderate PAE and problem behaviors and (2) whether these associations differed by levels of socioeconomic status (SES), fetal smoke exposure, or exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Data were taken from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) study. Parents evaluated children’s behaviors using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results showed a slight, but insignificant, increase of problem behaviors in children with moderate PAE. In 3- to 6-year-olds, PAE had a stronger effect on hyperactivity/inattention in combination with fetal smoke exposure (odds ratio = 2.82), than did PAE alone. Effects were not stronger in low-SES children, but they were stronger in children with ETS. We conclude that moderate PAE might have adverse effects on neurodevelopment, with stronger effects in disadvantaged populations. To confirm our preliminary findings, further research should be conducted.

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