Nov 16, 2007 6:24 pm US/Eastern
Survey: Binge Drinking Not Bad During Pregnancy
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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A new study says that binge drinking may not be all that harmful for pregnant women. (File)
AP
There's shocking new information about drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
Healthwatch reporter Kellye Lynn says a review of existing studies finds binge drinking may not be all that bad for baby.
Although consistently drinking large amounts of alcohol during pregnancy has been found to be harmful to a developing fetus, this latest review offers surprising information about binge drinking.
When Kirby James found out she was pregnant, the occasional alcoholic drink she once had stopped.
"Once you find out you're pregnant, I think it's all about your baby, not you anymore," she said.
That's an attitude many pregnant women take upon learning that baby is on the way. Doctors have long urged expectant moms to abstain from alcohol, but now research suggests some forms of drinking are not harmful to the fetus. They say specifically, binge drinking, which is defined as five or more alcoholic beverages in one sitting.
"I think five drinks is way too much," James said.
So does her physician, Mercy Medical OB/GYN Dr. Karen Perkins.
"I'm a little taken aback by it, a little surprised," Perkins said.
The researchers analyzed 14 studies and found no "convincing evidence of adverse effects of prenatal binge drinking."
Dr. Perkins says even one drink can be harmful to a fetus.
"For you, it's one drink. For baby, multiple drinks. Because of the breakdown products of alcohol in the system, it lasts a lot longer and so they're exposed to it, even if it's out of your system," Perkins said.
The researchers do acknowledge that their review found binge drinking during pregnancy can slightly increase the risk of impaired fetal brain development, which could affect behavior, verbal IQ and academic performance. Dr. Perkins doesn't think women should take the risk.
"We don't recommend binge drinking. We don't recommend you drink. But if you have a drink or a glass of wine or champagne with dinner, that's not going to do harm," she said.
Kirby doesn't plan to have even a sip of alcohol until her daughter arrives in December.
"I'm thinking of my child. I just want to have a healthy baby," she said.
The authors of the study and Dr. Perkins agree that drinking alcohol during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy is the period when it can be the most damaging to the baby.
The research is published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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