Brandy and babies

A recent article (BDN, Jan. 23) featured Allen’s Coffee Brandy as a Maine favorite drink, but one that often was mentioned in alcohol-related accidents or in disturbances investigated by police. The acceptance of this popular beverage by women has another serious consequence. It seems to be the drink of choice for many women who drink alcohol during pregnancy.

In evaluating children for fetal alcohol syndrome, we have learned to ask if there was any coffee brandy taken during the pregnancy because, like in other areas of the United States where beer and wine coolers are not considered alcoholic beverages by pregnant women, coffee brandy is almost considered medicinal in Maine and is not mentioned.

Unfortunately, there is no safe level of alcohol during pregnancy, nor is there any time during a pregnancy when the developing fetus is immune to the effects of alcohol. Periodic or binge drinking is as bad as chronic use. Individual fetuses vary in susceptibility to injury from alcohol exposure, but none will benefit from the experience. Smoking cigarettes, although not damaging to the fetus except for growth delay, lowers the threshold in the fetus for adverse effects of alcohol.

The smooth, sweet taste of coffee brandy and its wide acceptance by women has led to too many Maine children being found to have FAS. FAS is as worthy of mention in an article on Allen’s Coffee Brandy as vehicular accidents and barroom brawls.

R. Stephen S. Amato, MD

EMMC director of medical genetics

Bangor