News: Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is prevalent, according to CDC report

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted the prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the potential health consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure. The findings raise concern because no amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is known to be safe, as prenatal alcohol exposure can contribute to adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. These include miscarriage and stillbirth, as well as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).

According to the analysis of 2021–2024 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, 15.2% of United States pregnant women ages 18-49 reported current drinking. This is defined as consuming at least one alcoholic drink during the past 30 days. In addition, 4.9% reported binge drinking, defined as consuming four or more alcoholic drinks on at least one occasion during the past 30 days, and 2.2% reported heavy drinking, defined as consuming eight or more drinks within one week during the past 30 days.

Of those who reported current drinking, 33.2% also engaged in binge drinking while 14.7% engaged in heavy drinking during the same 30 days, highlighting that pregnant women who consume alcohol may engage in multiple types of drinking behaviors.

These latest estimates represent an increase in reported current drinking compared with a previous study covering 2018–2020, when 13.5% of pregnant women reported current alcohol consumption. However, the previous study estimated 5.2% of pregnant women were binge drinking, which was lower in the new analysis.

The CDC report also identified characteristics associated with these rates of alcohol consumption in the report. This included that pregnant women who were not married had approximately twice the prevalence of current drinking, binge drinking, and heavy drinking compared with married women.

Additionally, frequent mental distress was strongly associated with alcohol consumption. Women who reported frequent mental distress had approximately twice the prevalence of current drinking and binge drinking, and three times the prevalence of heavy drinking when compared with those who did not report frequent mental distress.

With more than one in seven pregnant women reporting recent alcohol consumption, the CDC findings emphasize the continuing need for early identification, intervention, and coordinated prenatal care. The report recommends comprehensive approaches that include routine screening for alcohol consumption and mental health conditions during pregnancy, brief behavioral counseling, and referral to specialized services when appropriate. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises screening adults for unhealthy alcohol use, while the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists encourages screening pregnant women for anxiety and depression.

Editor’s note: To read the full report, click here. To read additional coverage from JustCoding, click here.