Tests for alcohol consumption during pregnancy: what biomarkers are suitable?
Wassenaar, S.; Sibbles, B.J.; Schneider, A.J.; Aaldriks, A.A.; Koch, B.C.P.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 160: D195
2016
ISSN/ISBN: 1876-8784 PMID: 27552935 Document Number: 686391
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy may lead to severe foetal damage, such as foetal alcohol spectrum disorders. It is known that pregnant women under-report to questionnaires about alcohol consumption. It is therefore necessary to determine alcohol consumption during pregnancy objectively. We present 2 pregnant women with negative urine tests for ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and alcohol. However, analysis of two other biomarkers, phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in blood and fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) in meconium, revealed alcohol consumption during pregnancy by both women. Analysis of PEth can yield additional information alongside EtG testing. This is due to the much longer half-life of PEth. Meconium testing for FAEE provides relevant information about alcohol consumption during the second and third trimesters. Both PEth and meconium analysis can help identify women who have consumed alcohol during pregnancy. Appropriate counselling and follow-up can be given to these mothers and their children.