Table 1 Characteristics of included studies (alcohol)

Budd et al. (10) (2000) (Ohio)

To compare the sensitivity and specificity of PAUI and ACOG antepartum record and compare their levels of CDT (recent heavy drinking)

N(BQ) = 56

1. PAUI (Prenatal Alcohol Use Interview)

2. ACOG record (contains information about past and current pregnancy and medical history)

Maternal Blood

CDT - LC

Derauf et al. (24) (2003) (Hawai)

To assess the concordance between maternal self-reported ethanol intake and detection of FAEE

N(B) = 422

N(Q) = 436

Structured questionnaire for gestational alcohol consumption

Meconium

FAEE – GC-MS (50 ng/g)

Garcia Algar et al. (31) (2008) (Spain)

To determine the prevalence of ethanol consumption

N(BQ) = 353

Self reported use

Meconium

FAEE - LC-MS/MS (600 ng/g)

Self reported method not described

Gareri et al. (19) (2008) (Ontario)

To establish an objective foetal ethanol exposure prevalence using meconium FAEE and COMPAR€ with results obtained by postpartum questionnaire

N(B) = 695

N(Q) = 1019

2. Parkyn Screening Tool: standard post partum questionnaire

Meconium

FAEE - GC-MS (2 nmol/g)

Wurst et al. (14) (2008) (Sweden)

To evaluate whether biomarkers of alcohol consumption provide additional information compared with the use of a validated questionnaire

N(BQ) = 109

AUDIT (*)

Urine

EtG – LC-MS

EtS – LC-MS (0.05 mg/L)

Hair

FAEE – GC-MS (0.7 pg/mg)

EtG – GC-MS (>7 pg/mg: social drinker;> 25 pg/mg excessive and repeated alcohol drinkers)

Pichini et al. (23) (2009) (Italy, Spain))

To evaluate of two new biomarkers of exposure of alcohol (EtG and EtS)

Comparison between them, with FAEEs

N(BQ) = 177 (Italy: 96; Spain: 81)

Structured questionnaire for gestational alcohol consumption

Meconium

FAEE – LC-MS/MS (2 nmol/g)

EtG – LC-MS/MS (5 ng/g)

EtS – LC-MS/MS (1 ng/g)

Not clear how was the questionnaire

Bakdash et al. (21) (2010) (Denmark)

To compare results of FAEE and EtG on intrauterine exposure to ethanol

N(BQ) = 602

1. Structured questionnaire

2. CAGE test (*)

3. Personal interview

Meconium

FAEE - GC-MS (500 ng/g)

EtG - LC-MS (10 ng/g)

Sample size of questionnaire not described

Goh et al. (9) (2010) (Ontario)

To compare the prevalence of FAEE+ meconium in the general population to high risk population (high risk pregnancy)

N(BQ) = 732 (general population: 682; risk population: 50)

1. Self reported use

2. Parkyn Screening Tool: standard post partum questionnaire

Meconium

FAEE – GC-MS (2 nmol/g)

Hutson et al. (22) (2010) (Uruguay)

To determine the incidence of prenatal alcohol and drug exposure in public health care sector

N(B) = 905

N(Q) = 900

1. Structured questionnaire for gestational alcohol consumption

2. CAGE (*)

Meconium

FAEE - GC-FID (2 nmol/g)

Comasco et al. (15) (2012) (Sweden)

To evaluate methods to assess maternal drinking during pregnancy

N(BQ) = 2264

C-AUDIT (*)

Maternal Blood

CDT - LC

PEth - LC-MS

Manich et al. (20) (2012) (Spain)

To compare prenatal exposure to alcohol consumption by questionnaire and biomarkers

N(BQ) = 62

Structured questionnaire for gestational alcohol consumption

Meconium

FAEE - LC-MS/MS (2 nmol/g)

Questionnaire construction not clear.

Pichini et al. (25) (2012) (Italy)

To assess prenatal exposure to ethanol by measurement of EtG y FAEEs

N(BQ) = 607

AUDIT questionnaire (*)

Meconium

FAEE – LC-MS/MS (2 nmol/g)

EtG – LC- MS/MS (2 nmol)

Lendoiro et al. (18) (2013) (Spain)

The aim of this work was to compare maternal interview and hair analysis to determine alcohol consumption throughout pregnancy and to study relations among maternal interview, hair results, and neonatal outcomes

N(BQ) = 51

Structured questionnaire for gestational alcohol consumption

Hair

EtG – LC-MS/MS (<7 pg/mg: negative;

7–30 pg/mg: social drinker; >30: chronic drinker)