Jamie O. Lo1, Matthias C. Schabel1, Victoria H.J. Roberts2, Xiaojie Wang2, Kathleen A. Grant2, Antonio E. Frias1,2, and Christopher D. Kroenke1,2
1Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States, 2Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, United States
Alcohol consumption in pregnancy adversely affects
fetal growth and development, likely secondary to altered placental perfusion
resulting in decreased fetal oxygen availability. We developed a novel MRI technique that allows
in-vivo assessment and correlation of
placental perfusion and oxygenation. Our
study demonstrated reduced placental perfusion and oxygenation with first
trimester ethanol exposure in a pregnant nonhuman primate model using a novel
MRI method and Doppler ultrasound. Impaired fetal growth was also observed. These findings suggest that discontinuation of
alcohol consumption after the first trimester is associated with decreased
placental perfusion and oxygenation subsequently affecting fetal growth and
development.
