What is it about?
Evidence on the relationship between low level alcohol use during pregnancy and child outcomes were sparse and unclear, leading to mixed messages for pregnant women. We examined close to 10,000 children where 1 in 4 had been exposed to alcohol in utero. There was robust evidence to indicate low level alcohol use could negatively impact child health. For example, exposed children had higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms, were more impulsive and had poorer attention than unexposed children. These symptoms were linked to alterations in brain structure.
Featured Image
Photo by freestocks on Unsplash
Why is it important?
This is the largest study to examine low level alcohol use during pregnancy and offspring development. Our findings indicate that the safest option is to abstain from alcohol from conception throughout pregnancy.
Perspectives
I'm really pleased to be able to share this study. The findings are hugely important for women all around the globe. With clear evidence on the impacts of low level alcohol use, women are now able to make informed decisions about their alcohol use when planning a pregnancy.
Briana Lees
The University of Sydney
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Association of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure With Psychological, Behavioral, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children From the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, American Journal of Psychiatry, November 2020, American Psychiatric Association,
DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20010086.
You can read the full text:
Resources
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
