Italy study finds signs of occasional alcohol use in pregnant women

A study in Italy analyzing hair and meconium samples from pregnant women has provided new insights into alcohol exposure. Researchers examined 83 hair samples from women aged 18 to 24 and 147 neonatal meconium samples to detect ethylglucuronide (EtG), a key indicator of alcohol consumption.

The results showed that only two maternal samples had EtG levels indicative of chronic alcohol use. However, 34 samples—representing 41% of the group—showed profiles consistent with “social drinking,” or occasional consumption. This finding is notable because many women interviewed reported being abstainers or having stopped drinking during pregnancy.

Adele Minutillo of the National Center for Dependencies and Doping at the ISS stated that these results will undergo further analysis in an upcoming scientific publication. The data does not allow for conclusions regarding chronic consumption or the specific frequency and quantity of alcohol used throughout the entire pregnancy.