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Ethyl Linolenate Is Elevated in Meconium of Very-Low-Birth-Weight Neonates Exposed to Alcohol in Utero

Ethyl Linolenate Is Elevated in Meconium of Very-Low-Birth-Weight Neonates Exposed to Alcohol in Utero

Teresa S Gross, Frank Harris, Lou Ann S Brown, Theresa W Gauthier

Pediatr Res. 2017 Mar;81(3):461-467.

PMID: 27828937

Abstract:

Background:
The health implications of in utero alcohol exposure have been difficult to study in very-low-birth-weight newborns (VLBW) because of an inability to identify maternal alcohol exposure. Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) are elevated in meconium of alcohol-exposed term newborns. We hypothesized that meconium FAEEs would be similarly elevated in alcohol-exposed VLBW premature newborns.
Methods:
In a retrospective cohort study of 64 VLBW neonates, newborns were classified into Non-Exposed, Any Exposure, or Weekly Exposure groups based on an in-depth structured maternal interview. Meconium FAEE concentrations were quantified via gas chromatography mass spectrometry.
Results:
Alcohol exposure during Trimester 1 (Any Exposure) occurred in ~30% of the pregnancies, while 11% of the subjects reported drinking ≥ 1 drink/week (Weekly Exposure). Meconium ethyl linolenate was higher in Any Exposure (P = 0.01) and Weekly Exposure groups (P = 0.005) compared to the Non-Exposed VLBW group. There was a significant positive correlation between Trimester 1 drinking amounts and the concentration of meconium ethyl linolenate (P = 0.005). Adjusted receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves evaluating ethyl linolenate to identify alcohol-exposed VLBW newborns generated areas under the curve of 88% with sensitivities of 86-89% and specificities of 83-88%.
Conclusion:
Despite prematurity, meconium FAEEs hold promise to identify the alcohol-exposed VLBW newborn.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP1191419	Ethyl linolenate		1191-41-9	Price

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