Patent ID: 8383352

Claim:
A method for detecting in utero alcohol exposure of a subject comprising: a) detecting test placenta expression levels of two or more biomarker genes, and test placenta expression level of a control gene, in test placental tissue, wherein said one or more biomarker genes are selected from the group consisting of: iodothyronine deiodinase III (Dio3), G-protein α-subunit (Gsα), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and thyroid hormone receptor alpha (TRα), b) calculating at least one test placenta biomarker expression ratio by comparing at least one of said test placenta expression levels of said one or more biomarker genes to said test placenta expression level of said control gene, c) comparing said at least one test placenta biomarker expression ratio to at least one control placenta biomarker expression ratio, wherein said control placenta biomarker expression ratio is calculated from expression levels of said one or more biomarker genes and said control gene obtained from control placentas that have no indication of maternal alcohol consumption, and d) identifying said subject as exposed or likely exposed to maternal alcohol consumption in utero by detecting altered expression of said one or more biomarker genes in said test placental tissue, wherein said altered expression is selected from the group consisting of: i) wherein, for said Dio3, said test placenta biomarker expression ratio is at least 1.3 fold higher than said control placenta biomarker expression ratio, ii) wherein, for said Gsα, said test placenta biomarker expression ratio is at least 1.3 fold higher than said control placenta biomarker expression ratio, iii) wherein, for said GR, said test placenta biomarker expression ratio is at least 1.5 fold reduced compared to said control placenta biomarker expression ratio, and iv) wherein, for said TRα, said test placenta biomarker expression ratio is at least 1.5 fold reduced compared to said control placenta biomarker expression ratio.