Alcohol During Pregnancy from 1985 to 2005: Prevalence and High Risk Profile

Aims: This study aimed 1. to examine the prevalence of German children born with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) from 1985 to 2005, and asked 2. whether it differed on levels of socioeconomic status (SES) and 3. whether there are differences between abstainers and drinkers during pregnancy in regard to physical, behavioural and sociodemographic features. Methods: 16 978 German mothers, enrolled in the German Health Interview and Examination Survey (KiGGS) were studied. Results: Between 1985 and 2005 13.5 percent of the children were born with PAE. No stable decrease was found over time. Over 20 years, the prevalence of children born with PAE was highest in the upper class. Drinkers differed from abstainers in regard to physical, behavioural and sociodemographic characteristics. High SES women were on a higher risk of alcohol intake during pregnancy. Conclusions: The prevalence of children born with PAE over time indicates that alcohol intake during pregnancy needs further interventions and prevention as no long-lasting decrease was found in the years from 1985 to 2005. Alcohol intake during pregnancy was and still is an issue in women from the upper class. Future research should therefore aim to explain the social gradient.