Question Is there an association between different levels of prenatal alcohol exposure and child craniofacial shape at 12 months?
Findings This cohort study conducted an objective and sensitive craniofacial phenotype analysis of 415 children, which showed an association between prenatal alcohol exposure and craniofacial shape at almost every level of exposure examined. Differences in the midface and nose resemble midface anomalies associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Meaning Any alcohol consumption has consequences on craniofacial development, supporting advice that complete abstinence from alcohol while pregnant is the safest option; it remains unclear whether the facial differences are associated neurocognitive outcomes of prenatal alcohol exposure.