Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Predicts Academic Outcomes from Childhood to Adolescence: A Prospective Longitudinal Study Based on Meconium Ethyl Glucuronide

Mestermann S, Broich M, Fasching P, Beckmann M, Kratz O, Hemetsberger J, Bailer M, Lenz B, Kornhuber J, Eichler A (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Behavioral Sciences MDPI

Book Volume: 16

Article Number: 715

Journal Issue: 5

DOI: 10.3390/bs16050715

Abstract

Background: Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is a major preventable cause of neurodevelopmental impairment. Little is known about its impact on real-life child/adolescent academic outcomes, which are key functional indicators of long-term social participation. Methods: PAE was assessed in a sample of 156 participants via (1) meconium ethyl glucuronide (EtG) concentration (≥10 ng/g; EtG-positive, n = 36) and (2) third-trimester maternal self-report (SR-positive, n = 40). At primary school (6–10 years, t1) and secondary school ages (12–14 years, t2), exposed and non-exposed children were compared regarding primary school grades (t1) and secondary track placement (t2). Results: At t1, EtG-positive children exhibited lower school report grades by trend (n = 15, p = 0.068–0.085) with a moderate effect size (r = 0.36–0.39). SR-positive children demonstrated significantly lower school report grades (n = 15, p = 0.016) with strong effect (r = 0.56). At t2, both exposure groups had increased trend-significant odds of attending lower educational tracks (EtG-positive/-negative: n = 153, OR = 1.84, p = 0.059; SR-positive/-negative: n = 153, OR = 1.78, p = 0.066). Conclusions: PAE is associated with reduced real-life academic outcomes across development. School performance represents a sensitive functional outcome of neurodevelopmental vulnerability following PAE. Meconium EtG may contribute to postnatal identification of affected children.

Authors with CRIS profile

Stefan Mestermann Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Peter Fasching Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Matthias Beckmann Lehrstuhl für Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde Oliver Kratz Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Jonas Hemetsberger Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Maximilian Bailer Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Johannes Kornhuber Lehrstuhl für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie Anna Eichler Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Involved external institutions

Universitätsklinikum Mannheim / University Medical Centre Mannheim (Universitätsmedizin Mannheim) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Mestermann, S., Broich, M., Fasching, P., Beckmann, M., Kratz, O., Hemetsberger, J.,... Eichler, A. (2026). Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Predicts Academic Outcomes from Childhood to Adolescence: A Prospective Longitudinal Study Based on Meconium Ethyl Glucuronide. Behavioral Sciences, 16(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050715

MLA:

Mestermann, Stefan, et al. "Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Predicts Academic Outcomes from Childhood to Adolescence: A Prospective Longitudinal Study Based on Meconium Ethyl Glucuronide." Behavioral Sciences 16.5 (2026).

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