Sleep Problems Linked To Fetal Alcohol Exposure

Alcohol exposure in the womb can lead to poor sleep in adulthood, according to new research from the United States.

The study saw researchers replicating a woman drinking a large quantity of alcohol in the last three months of pregnancy in mice, by injecting the animals with a single dose of pure alcohol a week after their birth.

By studying the behaviour of the mice, researchers discovered that mice that were exposed to alcohol didn’t get as much slow-wave sleep as other mice in the experiment.

Slow-wave sleep is vitally important for providing restorative sleep, as well as being the function where the brain turns the day’s events into long term memories.

The mice that were exposed to alcohol were more likely to be hyperactive and to suffer from memory problems.

The scientists from New York University say that the study is very relevant to humans, even though it was conducted on mice.

Researcher Professor Donald Wilson said:

“We have known for a long time that sleep fragmentation is associated with impaired cognitive function, attention and emotional regulation. Our study shows for the first time that binge alcohol exposure early in life results in long-lasting slow-wave sleep fragmentation, which, in turn, is associated with learning problems.”

The current guidelines in Australia, advise woman to avoid alcohol in pregnancy.

Image source: Shutterstock

20 Comments

- - mom156049 said
  - 24 Mar 2016
    9:26 am
I think we know all round that alcohol during pregnancy is bad and causes all sorts of issues long into adulthood. Don’t be selfish and drink during pregnancy – put your baby first!

- - curlytops said
  - 07 Mar 2016
    9:46 am
interesting study that they have found a link.

- - mom94125 said
  - 02 Mar 2016
    11:36 am
oh that is sad to think that there are babies out there affected by this.

- - Mummytoabeautifulprincess said
  - 28 Feb 2016
    10:41 pm
Interesting to know

- - rachelvk said
  - 28 Feb 2016
    10:29 pm
A very interesting study. I know that my mum along with the mums of many people my age (mid 30’s) drank and smoke while pregnant as it was not a known issue back then. Luckily my sleep has never been issue.

- - june11 said
  - 28 Feb 2016
    5:52 pm
I know one Mum who only drank very occasionally who had a couple of white wines one night at a family gathering before she actually knew she was pregnant and was violently sick. What a way to have pregnancy confirmed !!!

- - BellaB said
  - 28 Feb 2016
    4:10 pm
I’m increasingly glad I gave up drinking before trying to get pregnant.

- - mom103920 said
  - 28 Feb 2016
    12:09 pm
An interesting piece of trivia. I never had any alcohol whilst pregnant, nor breastfeeding, and I never felt like I missed out on anything.

- - mom57619 said
  - 27 Feb 2016
    11:49 pm
I might need to have a chat with my mother!

- - Nas01 said
  - 27 Feb 2016
    10:46 pm
I think avoiding alcohol/cigarettes during pregnancy is the safest method.
- mom93821 replied
  
  28 Feb 2016 , 5:44 am
  The evidence and outcomes would also suggest this to be the case.
- - mum4107 said
  - 27 Feb 2016
    9:52 pm
Well that’s not the cause of my mother’s sleep problems as her mother didn’t drink

- - serotonin said
  - 27 Feb 2016
    3:54 pm
Interesting. I wish I could blame that for my poor sleep problems but my mother didn’t drink. Another great reason why alcohol sucks.

- - mom93821 said
  - 27 Feb 2016
    3:53 pm
There is enough evidence already on the harmful effects of alcohol on unborn babies, is there really a need to be experiment on mice?

- - mom160421 said
  - 27 Feb 2016
    1:11 pm
We don’t need a science based study to know that alcohol, smoking, drugs etc taken during pregnancy are going to have negative effects on an unborn child. I’m getting really sick of this drinking culture that causes nothing but problems.

- - mom90758 said
  - 27 Feb 2016
    12:44 pm
I didn’t touch even one drop of alcohol during the pregnancy. I’m glad for that.

- - welshmummy said
  - 27 Feb 2016
    11:51 am
Scary stuff. We all know that drinking alcohol is dangerous during pregnancy.

- - mom74640 said
  - 27 Feb 2016
    11:45 am
Lke bs

- - mom156049 said
  - 27 Feb 2016
    10:43 am
I can think of a number of people that I’m certain were affected by this

- - mom165081 said
  - 27 Feb 2016
    10:38 am
I hope pregnant mums don’t drink while pregnant. Public campaigns on this issue are so important.