Prenatal Binge Drinking May Have Little Risk, Study Finds

Consistent booze more harmful than occasional
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 14, 2007 3:40 PM CST
Prenatal Binge Drinking May Have Little Risk, Study Finds
Francine Krause at Destination Maternity. (PRNewsFoto/Destination Maternity)   (Associated Press)

Pregnant women have been told to avoid alcohol for decades, but a new study suggests that occasional drinking and even a binge now and then could be OK, ABC News reports. Researchers at Oxford University looked at 35 years of studies and found no consistent link between sporadic binge drinking and birth defects. Doctors were quick to urge caution.

"It flies against common sense," one said. "We don't know how much is too much." Specialists emphasized that the damaging effects of heavy drinking on fetuses are not in doubt. There are fears the study will send mixed messages to expectant moms—but it might give some peace of mind to women who partied hard before learning they were pregnant. (More binge drinking stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X