Prenatal alcohol exposure: Fetal programming, alcohol-stress interactions, and sex differences in outcome

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term encompassing the range of adverse effects resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Alcohol not only has direct effects on the developing fetal brain and organ systems, but also indirect effects through changes in maternal endocrine function and altered maternal-fetal hormonal interactions, with significant impacts on fetal neurobiological, metabolic, physiological and behavioral functions. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a key component of the stress system, is highly sensitive to programming during fetal and neonatal development.
Source: Alcohol - Category: Addiction Authors: Source Type: research