Pregnant women consuming alcohol were more likely to be older, taller, and have higher pre-pregnancy body mass index, and were less likely to present with anaemia (Hb < 11.0 g/dl) at last antenatal care (ANC) visit/at admission; adjusted relative risk (ARR) 0.84 (95 % confidence interval 0.79–0.90) for alcohol consumption vs. abstinence. Here, GSTM1 is linked to anemia (phenotype).