Quantitation of ethyl-β-d-glucuronide in human umbilical cord tissue by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Abstract

In utero exposure to alcohol may adversely affect the development of the embryo or fetus and result in adverse outcomes known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) which encompass a range of physical, behavioral, and cognitive impairments in the newborn. Since maternal self-reports are often unreliable, biomarkers of gestational alcohol consumption are necessary for accurate identification of exposed newborns at risk. Ethyl-β-d-glucuronide (EtG) is a minor phase II metabolite of ethyl alcohol (ethanol), formed by enzymatic conjugation of ethanol with glucuronic acid in the liver. As a direct biomarker for alcohol, detection of EtG in neonatal biological matrices provides accurate identification of maternal alcohol consumption and fetal alcohol exposure during pregnancy. This chapter describes the quantitation of EtG in human umbilical cord tissue by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).