Top 5 Takeaways

1. Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption: During 2018–2020, 13.5% of pregnant adults reported current drinking, and 5.2% reported binge drinking in the past 30 days.
2. Impact of Mental Distress: Pregnant adults experiencing frequent mental distress were significantly more likely to report current and binge drinking.
3. Role of Health Care Providers: Pregnant adults without a usual health care provider were more likely to consume alcohol compared to those with a provider.
4. Consistency Over Time: The prevalence of current and binge drinking among pregnant adults did not significantly differ by year from 2018 to 2020.
5. Public Health Implications: The findings highlight the need for integrated, evidence-based interventions to prevent alcohol-related harms during pregnancy.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Lucas K. Gosdin, nwj4@cdc.gov, 404-498-3347

Suggested Citation

Gosdin LK, Deputy NP, Kim SY, Dang EP, Denny CH. Alcohol Consumption and Binge Drinking During Pregnancy Among Adults Aged 18–49 Years — United States, 2018–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:10–13. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7101a2

Summary

This report examines the prevalence of alcohol consumption and binge drinking among pregnant adults aged 18–49 years in the United States from 2018 to 2020. The study found that 13.5% of pregnant adults reported current drinking, and 5.2% reported binge drinking. Those with frequent mental distress and without a usual health care provider were more likely to consume alcohol. The findings underscore the need for integrated interventions to prevent alcohol-related harms during pregnancy.

Methods

The study utilized data from the 2018–2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a state-based, random-digit-dialed telephone survey. The analysis included self-reported data from 6,327 pregnant adults aged 18–49 years. The prevalence of current and binge drinking was estimated overall and by sociodemographic and health characteristics. Multivariable regression was used to identify factors associated with alcohol consumption.

Discussion

The study found that approximately one in seven pregnant adults reported drinking alcohol in the past 30 days, with about 40% of these reporting binge drinking. Factors such as age, education, marital status, and mental distress were correlated with alcohol consumption. The presence of a usual health care provider was associated with lower alcohol consumption. The findings suggest that integrating mental health services and improving access to care could help address alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy remains a significant public health issue. Addressing it requires clinical and community-wide interventions, such as alcohol screening, brief intervention, and improved access to mental health services. These measures could help reduce prenatal alcohol use and prevent adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes.

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