Assessing the prevalence of alcohol consumption in early pregnancy using blood biomarker analysis: a consistent pattern across north-east England?. (26th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Howlett, Helen; Mackenzie, Shonag; Gray, William K; Rankin, Judith; Nixon, Leanne; Brown, Nigel W
• Is Part Of: Journal of public health. Volume 42:Number 1(2020:Mar.)
• Page Start: e74
• Page End: e80
• Publication Date: 2019-04-26
• Subjects: alcohol -- blood biomarkers -- foetal alcohol spectrum disorder -- pregnancy -- prevalence -- self-report; Public health -- Periodicals; Public health -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdz039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-3842

Abstract

Abstract: Background: We previously investigated the prevalence of alcohol consumption in early pregnancy in Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, a locality of north-east England. The prevalence was 1.4% based on blood sample biomarker analysis using carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) and 3.5% for gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Aims: To supplement this research by investigating the prevalence of alcohol use using identical methods in a different locality of the same region. Methods: Six-hundred random blood samples taken at the antenatal booking appointment were anonymously analysed for the presence of CDT, a validated marker of chronic alcohol exposure (normalizing 2–3 weeks from abstinence) and GGT, a liver enzyme elevated for up to 8 weeks after alcohol exposure. Results: The North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust data revealed a CDT prevalence rate of 1.7% (95% CI: 0.7–2.9) and GGT prevalence rate of 4.2% (95% CI: 2.6–5.9). However, these measures are not sensitive to low levels of alcohol; and no overlapping cases were identified or a significant correlation demonstrated between CDT or GGT. Discussion: These data support our earlier work. Prevalence rates according to CDT and GGT analysis were similar in both areas, suggesting similar patterns of sustained alcohol use in pregnancy across the region.