Low to moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes

Although abstinence is recommended in pregnancy, many pregnancies are exposed to alcohol. Observational studies of the effects of low to moderate prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and neurodevelopmental outcomes have yielded inconsistent results, with some studies finding an increased risk of adverse neurobehavioral and cognitive outcomes, and other studies finding no changes or reduced risk of the same outcomes. A review from the NIAAA, as part of their series on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, summarises these inconsistencies and applies a methodological framework to discuss how different parameters contribute to the findings. The authors also provide recommendations on how to advance future research in this area.