Drinking and Pregnancy

Pregnant women shouldn't drink. It's become gospel, because of the danger of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Alcohol can disturb the normal development of a foetus, leading to a lifetime of learning [disabilities:experiences] and social problems. But the [percentage:rate] of children born with the [disorder:disability] has remained constant, despite the warnings. And not all foetuses of drinking mothers suffer.Now research with rats has shown why some foetuses are naturally protected. Which could lead to ways to protect the vulnerable ones. The work is in the FASEB Journal.The key is a gene called Dio3, which governs the levels of thyroid hormone in the brain. If mom passes on a normal Dio3, no problem. And a male foetus that inherits a problem Dio3 [variation:range] from mom but a normal Dio3 from dad should be okay. But alcohol can stop Dad's normal Dio3 gene from working. Now mom's bad Dio3 allows the brain to be flooded with thyroid hormone, [damaging:effecting] the hippocampus.The hope is that gene screening could ID women whose foetuses would be at-risk and that dietary supplements or drugs could block alcohol's effect. And keep a child from suffering from a parent's addiction.