Is Light Drinking During Pregnancy OK?

One to two drinks per week during pregnancy was not associated with childhood behavioral or cognitive problems at age 5 years.

Although alcohol exposure during pregnancy is known to have toxic effects on a fetus, findings from the nationally representative Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) in the U.K. suggested that light gestational alcohol exposure (1–2 drinks per week) was not associated with cognitive or behavioral problems in children at age 3 years. To determine if cognitive or behavioral problems might emerge later in childhood, the same researchers evaluated 11,513 white singleton children from the MCS at age 5 years. Children born to light drinkers (60% of mothers) were compared with children born to mothers who reported drinking when not pregnant but abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy (26% of mothers).

Children born to light drinkers were significantly l…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Is Light Drinking During Pregnancy OK?

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Reviewing Author