 News
22nd February 2006
Drug reduces foetal alcohol damage
A drug may be able to reduce the damage done to babies whose
mothers drink heavily during pregnancy.
An American team of researchers have found that a drug called nicotinamide,
which is used to treat auto-immune disease, helped protect mice from foetal
alcohol syndrome (FAS).
There is no current treatment for FAS which is the most common cause
of non-genetic mental retardation in the Western world.
It is caused by alcohol passing through the placenta from mother to baby
disrupting the formation and survival of nerve cells in the foetus' developing
brain.
FAS causes abnormal facial features, reduced growth, central nervous
system abnormalities, impaired learning and memory skills and behavioural
problems such as hyperactivity.
The researchers from Cornell University, USA, injected mice shortly after
birth with a dose of alcohol comparable to the amount to which a human
foetus would be exposed during a bout of excessive drinking by its mother.
They noticed the death of cells in the animals' brains, which led to
behavioural abnormalities after the mice had grown to adulthood.
However, when they followed the dose of alcohol with an injection of
nicotinamide two hours later, the number of cells that died was no greater
than in normal brain development, and there were no behavioural abnormalities.
They said their research was in the early stages and said much more research
is needed before it can be determined if the same would apply to humans.
Experts have warned the study is no excuse to start drinking in pregnancy,
although the team suggest it is possible that alcohol damage to babies
might be prevented if a mother took nicotinamide soon after drinking.
Dame Karlene Davis, general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives
warned the new drug should not make women believe that they can drink
excessively during pregnancy.
She said, "The RCM is concerned that the availability of this drug could
detract pregnant women from the importance of a healthy and well balanced
diet throughout her pregnancy.
"Pregnant women should at all times ensure that they're eating the most
appropriate, healthy, fresh food alongside a recommended exercise regime
to ensure they're at their optimal health during pregnancy."
"FAS is often called the number one preventable birth defect. And the
RCM believes that it still is - by following a healthy diet that will
benefit both mother and child."
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