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Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters in Meconium are Associated with Poorer Neurodevelopmental Outcomes to Two Years of Age
The Journal of Pediatrics Article in Press, Corrected Proof 10 January 2008

To determine the relationship between fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) in meconium and neurodevelopment in infants exposed to alcohol in utero at 6.5 months, 1 year, and 2 years of age.

After controlling for prenatal visits and maternal factors, increasing concentrations of FAEE were significantly associated with poorer mental and psychomotor development (β ± standard error) at all follow-up visits: ethyl myristate (MDI −2.46 ± 1.24, P = .05; PDI −3.88 ± 1.67, P = .02), ethyl oleate (MDI −1.94 ± 0.65, P < .01; PDI −2.60 ± 0.93, P < .01), ethyl linoleate (MDI −1.92 ± 0.60, P < .01; PDI −2.28 ± 0.84, P < .01), ethyl linolenate (MDI −1.99 ± 0.74, P < .01; PDI −2.98 ± 1.04, P < .01), and ethyl arachidonate (MDI −2.40 ± 1.11, P = .03; PDI −3.32 ± 1.51, P = .03).

FAEE in meconium may be a marker for identifying newborns at risk for neurodevelopmental delay from alcohol exposure in utero.

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