Optical coherence angiography to assess the combined effects of alcohol and nicotine on fetal brain vasculature

摘要

Prenatal substance abuse is a leading cause of congenital defects. The severity of the defect caused depends on the substance used and the period of gestation during which the abuse happened. Several studies have documented the effects of alcohol and nicotine, used individually. However, the co-abuse of alcohol and nicotine is very common. There is not much literature on this. While first trimester substance abuse is common, several women continue to abuse substances well into their second trimester of pregnancy. The second trimester marks the peak period for fetal neurogenesis and angiogenesis. Exposure to any teratogen during this period is known to affect fetal brain development. This study uses optical coherence angiography to evaluate changes in fetal brain vasculature due to prenatal exposure to a combination of alcohol and nicotine. These results were compared to results from two other groups that were administered alcohol and nicotine independently. These comparisons showed a statistically significant difference between the nicotine group and the group that was administered both alcohol and nicotine, which was not seen with the alcohol group.