Female drinking, environment and biological markers
Mancinelli, R.; Binetti, R.; Ceccanti, M.
Annali Dell'istituto Superiore di Sanita 42(1): 31-38
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-2571 PMID: 16801723 Document Number: 599310
The rate of women involved in alcohol abuse is rapidly increasing and the age of first use tends dramatically to decrease. The health and social costs are high both for the adverse effects on physical and psychological health of women, and for the teratogenic effect of alcohol on fetal development. This review describes the physiology of alcohol effects according to age and sex differences. The interaction between alcohol habit and environment are discussed together with the risk of co-exposure to alcohol and pollutants. The role of biomarkers may be invaluable for clinical utility, prevention and early intervention to avoid prenatal, not reversible damages. The update on alcohol studies shows the greater severity of alcohol damage in females and the need of gender-targeted intervention.