Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can affect facial features of unborn child

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can affect the facial features of an unborn child, scientists from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology found. The results were published in the journal Human Reproduction.

The scientists analyzed three-dimensional images of 3,149 children at the age of nine and 2,477 children at the age of 13. They used artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning algorithms to find a link between the children's facial shape changes and the amount of alcohol their mothers drank before and during pregnancy.

The analysis showed that less than 12 grams of alcohol a week could affect a child's facial features-the equivalent of 175 ml of wine or 330 ml of beer.

The most common effects of alcohol consumption were an upturned tip of the nose, a shortened nose, a droopy chin, and gaps under the eyes, symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome. These changes become less noticeable as the child grows, and virtually disappear at age 13. Scientists speculate that this may be due to the increasing influence of other environmental factors, or that the signs compensate as the child grows.

Other symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome include cognitive impairment, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and speech delays. The study emphasizes that there are no safe doses of alcohol in pregnancy.

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