Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can affect placental growth, function

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can adversely affect the placental growth and functionalities, reveals a recent study by the University of Manchester.

The placenta plays a pivotal role in the brain and body development of the fetus. Moderate (2-3 standard drinks) or high (4-6 standard drinks) of alcohol influences the cell growth in a woman's placenta, claims a recent study by the researchers.

According to the scientists, the major breakdown product of alcohol, acetaldehyde, retards the placental growth, especially during the first few weeks of pregnancy - a crucial period for the development of three primary germ cell layers for the internal organs of the fetus.

The study also showed that moderate or heavy alcohol use also slows down the flow of an important amino acid, taurine, from a mother to her baby via the placenta. Taurine is extremely important for the psychological and brain development of the newborn and deficiency of the nutrient can lead to further neurological disabilities in infants.

"Alcohol and acetaldehyde are known to be toxic at high levels, but these results clearly show that levels easily achieved in a normal population have specific effects in the placenta," said Sylvia Lui, the lead author of the study, in a press release.

"Placental growth is reduced in comparison to non-exposed placentas, suggesting that in the long-term, there could be consequences to how much support the infant receives from the placenta during the rest of the pregnancy after this exposure."

However, alcohol consumption didn't have an impact on the placental attachment to the mother. Minimal consumption of alcohol (equivalent to one standard drink) doesn't much alter the placental growth, states the study.

"Though low levels of alcohol did not have a harmful effect, moderate to high levels were damaging," said Dr. Clare Tower, consultant obstetrician at Saint Mary's Hospital, affiliated with the University of Manchester. "The safest clinical advice would be to agree with the current Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines and abstain."