ACUTE MATERNAL ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION DISRUPTS BEHAVIORAL STATE ORGANIZATION IN THE NEAR-TERM FETUS

Disturbed sleep regulation is often observed in neonates of women who drank heavily during pregnancy. It is unknown if (and how) an occasion al drink affects fetal sleeping behavior. In 28 near-term pregnant wom en we examined the effects on fetal behavioral state organization of t wo glasses of wine (0.25 g of ethanol/kg of maternal body weight). Sim ultaneous 2-h recordings of fetal heart rate and body, eye, and breath ing movements were made on two successive days, once without alcohol e xposure and once during maternal alcohol consumption. The study was st andardized for time of day and fetal sleep state, i.e. the start of re cording was either during quiet sleep (rt = 16) or during active sleep (n = 12). Alcohol intake reduced fetal eye movements, disorganized be havioral state organization (rapid eye movement sleep was affected in particular), and suppressed fetal breathing activity almost completely . Modest maternal alcohol intake affects fetal behavioral state organi zation, which reflects an immediate effect on fetal brain function.