Correlates of alcohol use, binge drinking and patterns of drinking preceding- and during pregnancy and the risk of Congenital Heart disease

This study will assess the correlates of alcohol use prior to- and during pregnancy and the relationship between cyanotic congenital heart disease and binge drinking in the three months prior to pregnancy. Cyanotic congenital heart defects are among the most serious birth anomalies in terms of hospitalizations and associated costs. Additionally, congenital heart disease is among the leading causes of neonatal death and infant mortality.

This study will examine data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). PRAMS is a statewide weighted representative sample of women who experienced pregnancy. The dataset contains survey-based responses linked with birth certificate data. A case-control design will be employed to examine the odds ratios of developing a cyanotic congenital defect among women who report binge drinking in the three months prior to pregnancy. Cases will consist of infants born with a birth certificate indicating a cyanotic congenital defect at birth.

Alcohol use will be examined from mothers' self-reported alcohol consumption (number of drinks consumed per day/week) in the three months preceding pregnancy and during the last three months of pregnancy. Odds ratios for a cyanotic congenital heart defect will be computed using logistic regression analysis.