Craniofacial and limb development in early rat embryos following in utero exposure to ethanol and caffeine

Alcohol and caffeine are widely consumed. Their combined effects on the early morphogenesis of the craniofacial region and limbs were investigated in the rat. The most common developmental defects included reduction in the number of branchial bars and somites, as well as an impairment in the formation of the forelimb bud.