Ethyl Linolenate is Elevated in Meconium of Very Low Birthweight Neonates Exposed to Alcohol In Utero

BACKGROUND: The health implications of in utero alcohol exposure have been difficult to study in very low birth weight newborns (VLBW) because of an inability to identify maternal alcohol exposure. Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) are elevated in meconium of alcohol-exposed term newborns. We hypothesized that meconium FAEEs would be similarly elevated in alcohol-exposed VLBW premature newborns. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study of 64 VLBW neonates, newborns were classified into Non-Exposed, Any Exposure, or Weekly Exposure groups based on an in-depth structured maternal interview. Meconium FAEE concentrations were quantified via gas chromatography mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Alcohol exposure during Trimester 1 (Any Exposure) occurred in ~30% of the pregnancies, while 11% of the subjects reported drinking ≥ 1 drink/week (Weekly Exposure). Meconium ethyl linolenate was higher in Any Exposure (p=0.01) and Weekly Exposure groups (p=0.005) compared to the Non-Exposed VLBW group. There was a significant positive correlation between Trimester 1 drinking amounts and the concentration of meconium ethyl linolenate (p=0.005). Adjusted ROC Curves evaluating ethyl linolenate to identify alcohol-exposed VLBW newborns generated areas under the curve of 88% with sensitivities of 86-89% and specificities of 83-88%. CONCLUSIONS: Despite prematurity, meconium FAEEs hold promise to identify the alcohol-exposed VLBW newborn.