Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy Among Women Aged 18-49 Years – United States, 2021-2024

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause adverse birth outcomes and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. One U.S. study identified a slight increasing trend in alcohol consumption during pregnancy from 2011 to 2018. During 2018-2020, 13.5% of pregnant women reported current drinking; more recent estimates are unavailable. CDC analyzed 2021-2024 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to estimate prevalence of self-reported current drinking (one or more alcoholic drinks during the past 30 days), binge drinking (four or more alcoholic drinks on at least one occasion during the past 30 days), and heavy drinking (eight or more alcoholic drinks within 1 week during the past 30 days) among U.S. pregnant women aged 18-49 years. Multivariable regression was used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios and identify correlates of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Among U.S. pregnant women, 15.2% reported current drinking, 4.9% reported binge drinking, and 2.2% reported heavy drinking during the past 30 days. Higher prevalences of alcohol consumption were observed among pregnant women who were not married and those with frequent mental distress. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy remains a public health concern. Both clinical and community interventions might help reduce alcohol consumption during pregnancy and its associated adverse health outcomes.