Children of older mothers more affected by alcohol—study

"In this study, we showed that older women were also likely to drink more often during their pregnancy than younger women. If older women drink more during pregnancy, their fetuses will be at greater risk for FASD," said Lisa M. Chiodo, of Wayne State University.

Details of the study
The study, intended at analyzing the adverse effects of maternal age on kids, looked at 462 children of inner city women at a university antenatal clinic.

Factors like binge drinking, smoking, and the use of cocaine, marijuana, and opiates among the mothers were taken into account by the researchers.

While the children were seven years of age, they completed a Continuous Performance Test, while an Achenbach Teacher Report Form was conducted by their respective teachers.

Results of the study
Children born to older drinking mothers had more alcohol-related attention deficits than children born to younger drinking women, claims the study.

Potential factor leading to these deficits was that older moms drank for longer periods, had greater alcohol tolerance, and suffered more alcohol-related health problems.

These reasons lead to higher levels of alcohol in their fetuses, which harmed the babies in the long run.

Children born to mothers aged above 30 years showed much more deficiencies than those born to mothers below 30.

"Analyses of specific attentional measures revealed that children born to older mothers who had a binge pattern of drinking were more cautious and consequently slower in responding on the Continuous Performance Task, and made more errors," said Piyadasa W. Kodituwakku of the University of New Mexico.

Thus, maternal age and binge drinking together can cause harmful attentional problems in the off springs.

Further research into this matter can lead to an enhanced ability to predict FASD and even result in its prevention and treatment, believe researchers.

"The finding that binge drinking in older women is associated with a higher risk of alcohol-induced brain damage in the offspring has implications for the development of programs for prevention of FASD," added Kodituwakku.

The findings of the study were published on Early View.