[Lactation and alcohol: clinical and nutritional effects]

Researchers have turned their attention to the effects of alcohol consumption on breastfeeding, with significant negative findings concerning both the mother and the newborn. This study is a meta-analysis of the principle research performed in the last decade that was concerned with lactation and alcohol. Results from experimental and human subject research has shown that effects of alcohol include: behavioural changes, reduced milk and luteinising hormone production, with increased fat content, reduced lactose content. Increased lipogenesis and increased activity of lipoprotein and hormone-sensitive lipase, structural alterations in the epithelial cells of the breast and abnormal casein production, reduced oxytocin and prolactin production with subsequent reduced milk ejection, and reduced weight and protein content of the breast. Reduction in food consumption, body weight, growth and development and hepatic glycogen, serum glucose, amino-acids, insulin, glycerol, fatty acids and urea, and an increase in serum acetoacetic acid is seen in newborn children that were breastfed by animals with a high intake of alcohol during pregnancy or the puerperal period. Alcohol consumption during lactation caused a reduction in liver weight and triglyceride, protein, DNA and lipid content, in the newborns. Serum changes included a reduction in protein, triglyceride, cholesterol, fatty acid and glycerol level with an increase in beta-hydroxybutirate levels. Changes also included alterations in the motor system and behaviour. Further studies are needed to determine, with confidence, the minimum level of alcohol consumption that can provoke pathological effects in both the mother and the child.