Alcohol teratogenic effects

O Shea, K.S. and Kaufman, M.H. The teratogenic effect of acetaldehyde implications for the study of the fetal alcohol S3mdrome. J. Anat., 128 65-76, 1979. 

Gilman MR. 1971. A preliminary study of the teratogenic effects of inhaled carbon tetrachloride and ethyl alcohol consumption in the rat. Dissertation. Philadelphia, PA Drexel University. 

The mechanisms that underlie ethanol s teratogenic effects are unknown. Ethanol rapidly crosses the placenta and reaches concentrations in the fetus that are similar to those in maternal blood. The fetal liver has little or no alcohol dehydrogenase activity, so the fetus must rely on maternal and placental enzymes for elimination of alcohol. 

Alcohol has teratogenic effects that are manifested by CNS dysfunction. 

Since the discovery of the fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), extensive research has been carried out on the teratogenic effects of alcohol The consequences of early exposure to this substance can serve to illustrate the multiplicity of effects that a chemical can cause. Chronic exposure of the fetus to high levels of alcohol has been found to result in many cases in a large spectrum... 

Effects of low doses of alcohol are considered to be not as dramatic as those of heavy drinking. The occurrence of teratogenic effects decreases when addicted women cut down on alcohol intake or stop drinking altogether after the first trimester (refs. 51, 52). However, McLeod et al. (ref. 60)) found a disappearance followed by a decreased level of fetal breathing movements for 3 hours after the intake of a low dose of alcohol (0.25 g/kg). Therefore, if these movements have a function in the development of the fetus, regular social drinking may have some noxious effects as well. In addition, rat studies have shown that postnatal ethanol treatment can still cause... 

Mattson SN, Schoenfeld AM, Riley EP (2001) Teratogenic effects of alcohol on brain and behavior. Alcohol Res Health, 25(3) 185-191. 

J. W., 8c Kaplan-Estrin, G. (1993). Teratogenic effects of alcohol on infant development. Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research, 17, 174-183. 

A Dermatitis, night blindness, keratomalacia, xerophthalmia Serum vitamin A Teratogenic effects, liver toxicity with excessive intake alcohol intake, liver disease, hyperlipidemia, and severe protein malnutrition increase susceptibility to adverse effects of high intake , 6-carotene supplements recommended only for those at risk of deficiency (fat malabsorption)... 

Streissguth, A. P., Landesman-Dwyer, S., Martin, J., and Smith, D. W., Teratogenic effects of alcohol in humans and laboratory animals. Science 209 353-361... 

Fetal alcohol syndrome The syndrome of teratogenic effects of ethanol consumed by a pregnant woman (see text)... 

Fetal alcohol syndrome Ethanol use in pregnancy is associated with teratogenic effects that include mental retardation (most common), growth deficiencies, microcephaly, and a characteristic underdevelopment of the mid face region. Facial abnormalities are particularly associated with heavy consumption of alcohol in the first trimester of pregnancy. 

Properties Orthorhombic need., odorless, intense bitter taste sol. 1 g/1900 ml water, 0.8 ml alcohol, 80 ml benzene, 1.2 ml chloroform, 20 ml glycerol, 1900 ml of 10% ammonia water almost insol. in petroleum ether m.w. 324.43 m.p. 175 C (dec.) Toxicology LDLo (oral, rat) 800 mg/kg, (subcut., rat) 200 mg/kg, (IP, rat) 115 mg/kg, (IV, rabbit) 70 mg/kg poison by subcut., IV, IP, intramuscular routes mod. toxic by ing. human poison skin and mucous membrane irritant ing. of pure substance adversely affects eyes can cause temporary loss of vision human systemic effects by ing. (tinnitus, nausea, vomiting) experimental teratogen, reproductive effects human teratogenic effects mutagenic data TSCA listed... 

A few comments Beyond water, ethanol is perhaps the most commonly used solvent in chemistry. It has also been used extensively in some countries as fuel. As a result, its presence in the environment, aquatic and atmospheric, is increased. Ethanol in great doses has been recognized as a human teratogen, well before experimental studies in animals were undertaken. However, the consumption of alcohol via drinks and beverages covers any adverse effects due to ethanol s presence in the environment. 

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