Prenatal alcohol exposure may disrupt the circadian rhythms of children later diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome disorders (FASD), contributing to sleep disruptions and other problems, researchers say.

FASD children are known to have disrupted sleeping and eating patterns, as well as other behavioral problems. Researchers from San Diego State University (SDSU) say these problems may be related to the affect of alcohol on circadian systems; animal studies have shown that prenatal alcohol exposure can disrupt these processes.

The SDSU study involved feeding alcohol to rats during the equivalent of the third trimester of pregnancy in humans.

"Human infants with FASD may suffer from sleep disorders, including a reduced amount of sleep, abnormal brain-wave activity, and fragmented rapid eye movement and slow-wave sleep, which may be related, in part, to circadian dysregulation," said study co-author Jennifer D. Thomas. "Disruptions in circadian rhythms can also influence other behaviors, including attention and mood regulation. In fact, individuals with FASD may suffer from depression and other psychopathologies."

The study was published in the May 2006 issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.