Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy and Risk of Placental Abruption and Placenta Previa

• Activity Number: 422
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 2, 2011 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistics in Epidemiology
• Author(s): O'Neil Lynch*+
• Companies: Minnesota State University at Moorhead
• Keywords: Alcohol ; Placenta previa ; Placental abruption ; Population-based study

Abstract

The main outcomes of interest were placenta previa, placental abruption and a composite outcome defined as the occurrence of either or both lesions. Multivariate logistic regression was used to generate adjusted odd ratios, with non-drinking mothers as the referent category. Women who consumed alcohol during pregnancy had a 33% greater likelihood for placental abruption during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.33 [1.16-1.54]). No association was observed between prenatal alcohol use and the risk of placenta previa. Alcohol consumption in pregnancy was positively related to the occurrence of either or both placental conditions (adjusted OR [95% CI] = 1.29 [1.14-1.45]). Mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy were at elevated risk of experiencing placental abruption, but not placenta previa. Our findings underscore the need for screening and behavioral counseling interventions to combat alcohol use by pregnant women and women of childbearing age.