Low to moderate maternal alcohol use before and during pregnancy, and neurobehavioural outcome in the newborn infant.

Of 2002 randomly selected pregnant women recruited prospectively over a three-year period for an extensive questionnaire survey, a stratified subsample of 665 mothers was selected for mother-infant follow-up on the basis of pre-pregnancy alcohol intake. Infant outcome was assessed by detailed clinical examination and application of a modified Einstein Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Schedule (ENBAS) performed at 24 to 72 hours of age. Of the infant responses to 25 ENBAS items, only tonus showed a small but significant relationship to pre-pregnancy maternal alcohol intake. The authors conclude that low to moderate maternal alcohol intake has no significant effect on newborn neurological status.