Tag: hearing problems

People exposed to alcohol in utero report a greater range and frequency of physical health problems in midlife than those who were not exposed, according to a new study. Prenatal stressors and difficult early life experiences are known to increase the risk of the early onset of disease in adulthood. A theory on the developmental origins of health and disease implies that risky exposures occurring during pregnancy may increase the offspring’s vulnerability to the effects of subsequent adverse influences. Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) may be one such exposure. Improved understanding of the long-term effects of PAE could lead to improved clinical care for affected people. Identifying areas of concern may also inform early interventions to reduce the long-term impact of PAE. In the study in Alcohol: Clinical & Experimental Research, investigators considered the possible implications of PAE for a wide range of health problems that typically occur as people grow older.