EFFECTS OF FETAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE ON INFANT REACTION-TIME

Fetal alcohol exposure is associated with slower reaction times (RTs) in children, suggesting an alcohol-related deficit in ''speed of centr al processing.'' This study examined effects of prenatal alcohol expos ure on a new paradigm which, for the first time, directly assesses RT in infancy. RT was assessed in 103 Black, inner-city, 6.5-month-olds b orn to women recruited prenatally based on alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Maternal drinking was related to longer RTs and to fewer fa st responses, after controlling for potential confounders. The inciden ce of fast performance was reduced in infants whose mothers averaged a t least 0.5 oz absolute alcohol/day, indicating an impact at lower lev els than those associated with fetal alcohol syndrome. The RT deficits were dose-dependent and not attributable to maternal depression, inte llectual stimulation, prenatal drug exposure, or postpartum maternal d rinking. This study provides the first evidence of an alcohol-related RT deficit in infancy.