Recent studies have shown that even small amounts of alcohol intake by mothers before and during pregnancy can have an impact on the facial development of their children. Researchers have used artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning technology to establish a link between alterations in the shape of children's faces and the amount of alcohol their mothers drank, both before becoming pregnant and during pregnancy. This is an important finding, as the shape of a child's face can be an indication of underlying health and developmental problems.
The study, which was published in Human Reproduction, is the first to establish this association in the children of mothers who drank alcohol up to three months before becoming pregnant but stopped during pregnancy. The study also found that the association with altered face shape existed even if mothers drank less than 12g of alcohol a week, which is equivalent to a small, 175 ml glass of wine or 330ml of beer.
The lead researcher, Gennady Roshchupkin, who is an assistant professor and leader of the computational population biology group at Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, said that the face can be called a "health mirror" as it reflects the overall health of a child. A child's exposure to alcohol before birth can have significant adverse effects on its health development, and if a mother regularly drinks a large amount, it can result in foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which is reflected in children's faces.
FASD is a combination of growth retardation, neurological impairment, and recognisably abnormal facial development. Symptoms of FASD include cognitive impairment, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning difficulties, memory problems, behavioural problems, and speech and language delays. FASD is already known to be caused by a mother's drinking during pregnancy, particularly heavy drinking.
However, until now, little was known about the effect of low alcohol consumption on children's facial development and, therefore, their health. This is also the first study to examine the question in children from multiple ethnic backgrounds.
The findings of this study are significant, as they highlight the need for expectant mothers to avoid alcohol consumption entirely, even in small amounts. It is also important for healthcare providers to raise awareness among women of childbearing age about the risks associated with drinking alcohol before and during pregnancy.
It is also important to note that alcohol consumption is not the only factor that can affect a child's facial development. Genetics, environmental factors, and maternal health can also play a role. However, this study adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests alcohol consumption by expectant mothers can have a lasting impact on their child's health.
In conclusion, the link between alterations in the shape of children's faces and the amount of alcohol their mothers drank before and during pregnancy is a significant finding. The face can be considered a "health mirror" and can provide indications of underlying health and developmental problems. The study's findings emphasize the need for expectant mothers to avoid alcohol consumption entirely, even in small amounts, and for healthcare providers to raise awareness about the risks associated with drinking alcohol before and during pregnancy.
Reference: X Liu, M Kayser, S A Kushner, H Tiemeier, F Rivadeneira, V W V Jaddoe, W J Niessen, E B Wolvius, G V Roshchupkin. Association between prenatal alcohol exposure and children's facial shape: a prospective population-based cohort study. Human Reproduction, 2023; DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead006