Alcohol use disorders in pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Addiction Medicine
• Perinatal Health

Background:

• Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are less common in pregnant women but pose significant clinical challenges.
• Limited evidence exists to guide clinical decision-making for AUDs in this population.
• Consequences of alcohol consumption during pregnancy for mother and fetus are known, but dose-response relationships remain controversial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the epidemiology of AUDs in pregnant women.
• To discuss the pharmacologic management of AUDs and alcohol withdrawal in pregnant women.
• To inform clinicians on managing these co-occurring conditions despite data limitations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on AUDs in pregnancy.
• Analysis of existing evidence on pharmacologic interventions for AUDs.
• Examination of alcohol detoxification protocols and their application in pregnancy.

Main Results:

• AUDs in pregnancy, though less prevalent, present unique management difficulties.
• Evidence supporting specific pharmacologic treatments for AUDs during pregnancy is scarce.
• Management of alcohol withdrawal, including the use of benzodiazepines, is controversial due to limited data.

Conclusions:

• Clinicians face challenges managing AUDs in pregnant women due to a lack of robust evidence.
• This review synthesizes current knowledge on AUDs epidemiology and pharmacologic management in pregnancy.
• Informed clinical decisions are crucial for managing AUDs and alcohol withdrawal in pregnant patients.