Prenatal alcohol exposure and the facial phenotype in adolescents: A study based on meconium ethyl glucuronide

Maschke J, Roetner J, Goecke T, Fasching P, Beckmann M, Kratz O, Moll G, Lenz B, Kornhuber J, Eichler A (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Brain Sciences MDPI

Book Volume: 11

Pages Range: 1-20

Article Number: 154

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020154

Abstract

Here, we explore the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) in adolescence. We investigated associations between meconium ethyl glucoronide (EtG) and facial malformation. For 29 children (66/63 male/female; M = 13.3, SD = 0.32, 12–14 years), PAE was implemented by newborn meconium EtG and maternal self-reports during the third trimester. Cognitive development was operationalized by standardized scores (WISC V). The EtG cut-off values were set at ≥10 ng/g (n = 32, 24.8% EtG10+) and ≥112 ng/g (n = 20, 15.5% EtG112+). The craniofacial shape was measured using FAS Facial Photographic Analysis Software. EtG10+− and EtG112+-affected children exhibited a shorter palpebral fissure length (p = 0.031/p = 0.055). Lip circularity was smaller in EtG112+-affected children (p = 0.026). Maternal self-reports were not associated (p > 0.164). Lip circularity correlated with fluid reasoning (EtG10+ p = 0.031; EtG112+ p = 0.298) and working memory (EtG10+ p = 0.084; EtG112+ p = 0.144). The present study demonstrates visible effects of the facial phenotype in exposed adolescents. Facial malformation was associated with a child’s cognitive performance in the alcohol-exposed group. The EtG biomarker was a better predictor than maternal self-reports.

Authors with CRIS profile

Janina Maschke Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Jakob Roetner Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Tamme Goecke Medizinische Fakultät Peter Fasching Professur für Translationale Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe Matthias Beckmann Lehrstuhl für Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde Oliver Kratz Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Bernd Lenz Medizinische Fakultät Johannes Kornhuber Lehrstuhl für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie Anna Eichler Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health

How to cite

APA:

Maschke, J., Roetner, J., Goecke, T., Fasching, P., Beckmann, M., Kratz, O.,... Eichler, A. (2021). Prenatal alcohol exposure and the facial phenotype in adolescents: A study based on meconium ethyl glucuronide. Brain Sciences, 11(2), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11020154

MLA:

Maschke, Janina, et al. "Prenatal alcohol exposure and the facial phenotype in adolescents: A study based on meconium ethyl glucuronide." Brain Sciences 11.2 (2021): 1-20.

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