Occasional binge drinking during pregnancy does not harm fetus review says

Scientists in the UK say though the relationship between sustained heavy drinking in pregnancy and health problems for mother and child is well-established, there is little evidence that occasional binge drinking during pregnancy harms the unborn child.

The scientists from Oxford University say regular heavy drinking in pregnancy can cause miscarriage or stillbirth, or permanent damage to the growing foetus; in the most severe cases babies are born with "foetal alcohol syndrome", with symptoms which include growth and mental retardation and developmental disorders.

Although the researchers did not find links between bingeing and birth defects they say pregnant women should follow official advice to drink little or no alcohol; official guidance says women should abstain from alcohol completely if pregnant or trying for a baby.

Their findings are based on a comprehensive review of published research on binge drinking and women who were either pregnant or trying to conceive.

In recent years the number of women who "binge drink" which is defined as drinking five or more drinks at a single sitting, has soared.

The team from the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at Oxford University looked at studies done over a 35 year period from 1970 to 2005, comprising more than 3500 articles, which were then culled to just 14 pieces of relevant research that allowed them to see the effects of binge drinking as opposed to sustained heavy alcohol use.

They say they found "no convincing evidence" that binge-drinking could harm the foetus, but suggest more research into the issue is needed.

They say the findings should not be regarded as a green light to women to binge drink during pregnancy and assume on the basis of the report, that it was safe to do so.

They suggest the timing of binge drinking might be important, and that there may for example be more impact during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.

The team believe the study will allow doctors to reassure women worried about the effects of a single binge during their pregnancy.

The British Medical Association suggests that pregnant women should avoid alcohol altogether as a precaution.

The study is published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.