ETHANOL-INDUCED PRENATAL GROWTH DEFICIENCY - CHANGES IN FETAL BODY-COMPOSITION

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 211  (3) , 668-671
Abstract
Ethanol (6 g/kg per day) produced intrauterine growth retardation (both body weight and length) in rat fetuses compared to pair-fed controls. Associated with this retardation was an increase in fetal body water and Na content and a decrease in lipid-free solid content. Comparable electrolyte changes were not observed in maternal blood. These effects in fetal body content are not commonly observed in fetal malnutrition studies and are suggestive of a direct teratogenic effect of ethanol.