Even small amounts of alcohol can interfere with the growth and development of a fetus - leading to growth retardation, facial abnormalities and lowered mental functioning - a condition known as fetal alcohol syndrome.

That fact about alcohol and pregnancy, I know, but reading/writing what follows is the first time I've heard about the issue...:

Cholesterol, on the other hand, is a very important factor in fetal development - pregnant women who do not have high enough cholesterol levels are at an increased risk of having babies with developmental problems (even without consuming alcohol!).

...and I thought I've read all about pregnancy when I was pregnant, this cholesterol bit I certainly missed!

Anyway, here's the clincher: according to a study conducted by researchers at Duke University Medical Center on laboratory fish (zebrafish embryos), while even small amounts of alcohol blocks the ability of cholesterol to orchestrate the complex series of events involved in regulating cell fates and organ development in the embryo, giving supplemental cholesterol to zebrafish embryos exposed to alcohol restored normal development.

According to led author of the study by Yin-Xiong Li, MD., Ph.D:

"This new insight into the molecular basis of fetal alcohol syndrome could have far-reaching implications and suggests new prenatal care that might prevent the developmental defects caused by alcohol consumed during pregnancy."

Whatever implications this finding might lead to, I just hope that these scientists will not give women the excuse to consume alcohol while pregnant and use cholesterol as some sort of antidote.

Supported by the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association, the study findings are published in the March 2007 issue of the journal Laboratory Investigation.

Find more details from the full report.

[article abstract]