Alcohol Exposure In Utero and Child Academic Achievement

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Scholder, Stephanie von Hinke Kessler; Wehby, George L.; Lewis, Sarah; Zuccolo, Luisa
• 署名单位: University of York - UK; University of Iowa; National Bureau of Economic Research; University of Bristol
• 刊物名称: ECONOMIC JOURNAL
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0013-0133
• DOI: 10.1111/ecoj.12144
• 发表日期: 2014
• 页码: 634-667
• 关键词: mendelian randomization; genetic associations; fetal origins; aldh2 gene; dehydrogenase; RISK; polymorphisms; adh; consumption; metabolism

摘要

We examine the effect of prenatal alcohol exposure on child academic achievement. We use a genetic variant in the maternal alcohol-metabolism gene ADH1B to instrument for alcohol exposure, whilst controlling for the child's genotype on the same variant. We show that the instrument is unrelated to an extensive range of parental characteristics and behaviour. OLS regressions suggest an ambiguous association between alcohol exposure and attainment but there is a strong social gradient in drinking, with mothers in higher socio-economic groups more likely to drink. In contrast to the OLS, the IV estimates show clear negative effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.