Scientists Reveal How Alcohol Impacts Fetal Heart Function First, Not Structure

Fetal alcohol syndrome can drastically impact a developing fetus. Even one episode of heavy drinking can lead to a collection of birth defects, which can include growth retardation, head and face abnormalities, and neurological problems. Now, scientists have found a bit more about the alcohol-induced heart defects in a growing fetus.

"With an average of four million U.S. pregnancies per year, there will be approximately 10,000 cases of alcohol-induced congenital heart defects," wrote the study authors in a news release. "Continued study of the mechanisms involved in the development of alcohol-induced cardiac birth defects is warranted in order to implement effective treatments and/or prevention strategies."

In order to better understand how alcohol can impact heart function, the researchers examined heart formation in quail embryos. Quail heart development is actually very similar to that of humans. More specifically, the researchers used an innovative imaging technique, known as optical coherence tomography, in order to compare embryos exposed to a single, large dose of alcohol to those who hadn't received alcohol.

The scientists looked at how the alcohol changed the function of the developing hearts as well as their structure. In the end, they found that significant changes in heart function came well before changes of structure. They saw significant differences in heart blood flow between embryos that weren't exposed to alcohol and those that were. These changes in function could actually be the cause of the structural problems that arise later.

The findings are important for better understand how alcohol can impact a developing fetus. Since more than 500,000 women in the U.S. drink during pregnancy and about 20 percent of these women binge drink, this study is crucial to learning how their children will be affected by alcohol. In addition, it oculd pave the way for future studies and treatments.

The findings are published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology.