Prenatal alcohol exposure and signs of minor neurological dysfunction at preschool age

High levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy affect the development of the baby's central nervous system. Pregnant women were interviewed about their alcohol consumption during pregnancy, when they first visited the ma ternity hospital in Roubaix, France. Of the 698 women interviewed, 156 of t heir children were investigated at the age of 4 1/2 years with a standardis ed examination to assess the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on neurol ogical status. Two scores were calculated: a posture score, which measured items while the child was standing; and a minor neurological signs score. T he posture score was not related to prenatal alcohol exposure. Consumption of 821 drinks/week (3 drinks/day) or more during pregnancy was significantl y associated with a higher number of minor neurological signs, after contro lling for relevant covariables. Although prenatal alcohol exposure was rela ted to a lower General Cognitive Index (GCI), minor neurological signs were associated with prenatal alcohol exposure after controlling for GCI.