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Efficacy of Maternal Choline Supplementation During Pregnancy in Mitigating Adverse Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure on Growth and Cognitive Function: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.
- Source :
-
Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research [Alcohol Clin Exp Res] 2018 Jul; Vol. 42 (7), pp. 1327-1341. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Jun 15. - Publication Year :
- 2018
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Abstract
- Background: We recently demonstrated the acceptability and feasibility of a randomized, double-blind choline supplementation intervention for heavy drinking women during pregnancy. In this study, we report our results relating to the efficacy of this intervention in mitigating adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on infant growth and cognitive function.<br />Methods: Sixty-nine Cape Coloured (mixed ancestry) heavy drinkers in Cape Town, South Africa, recruited in mid-pregnancy, were randomly assigned to receive a daily oral dose of either 2 g of choline or placebo from time of enrollment until delivery. Each dose consisted of an individually wrapped packet of powder that, when mixed with water, produced a sweet tasting grape-flavored drink. The primary outcome, eyeblink conditioning (EBC), was assessed at 6.5 months. Somatic growth was measured at birth, 6.5, and 12 months, recognition memory and processing speed on the Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence, at 6.5 and 12 months.<br />Results: Infants born to choline-treated mothers were more likely to meet criterion for conditioning on EBC than the placebo group. Moreover, within the choline arm, degree of maternal adherence to the supplementation protocol strongly predicted EBC performance. Both groups were small at birth, but choline-treated infants showed considerable catch-up growth in weight and head circumference at 6.5 and 12 months. At 12 months, the infants in the choline treatment arm had higher novelty preference scores, indicating better visual recognition memory.<br />Conclusions: This exploratory study is the first to provide evidence that a high dose of choline administered early in pregnancy can mitigate adverse effects of heavy PAE on EBC, postnatal growth, and cognition in human infants. These findings are consistent with studies of alcohol-exposed animals that have demonstrated beneficial effects of choline supplementation on classical conditioning, learning, and memory.<br /> (Copyright © 2018 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.)
- Subjects :
- Adult
Alcohol Drinking epidemiology
Birth Weight physiology
Blinking physiology
Cognition physiology
Double-Blind Method
Female
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders epidemiology
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders prevention & control
Humans
Infant
Male
Pregnancy
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects epidemiology
South Africa epidemiology
Treatment Outcome
Alcohol Drinking drug therapy
Birth Weight drug effects
Blinking drug effects
Choline administration & dosage
Cognition drug effects
Dietary Supplements
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects drug therapy
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1530-0277
- Volume :
- 42
- Issue :
- 7
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 29750367
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.13769