Pregnant women 'should avoid alcohol'
Pregnant women are advised to avoid all alcohol
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Friday, 25, May 2007 05:42
Pregnant women and females trying for a baby should not drink any alcohol, new guidelines have said.
Previous advice said one or two alcoholic drinks a week would not pose a risk to the baby's health.
The Department of Health (DoH) issued the new advice this morning to ensure that there is strong, consistent advice on alcohol and pregnancy across the UK.
Deputy chief medical officer Dr Fiona Adshead said it "is better to avoid drinking alcohol altogether" and that the advice for women should be printed on alcohol packaging or labels.
"We have strengthened our advice to women to help ensure that no-one underestimates the risk to the developing foetus of drinking above the recommended safe levels," she added.
"Our advice is simple: avoid alcohol if pregnant or trying to conceive."
The National Organisation on Foetal Alcohol Syndrome estimates that each year 6,000 children are born with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Excessive alcohol can cause damage to the unborn baby at all stages of pregnancy. As many women do not confirm their pregnancy until a number of weeks into it, the DoH advises those trying for a baby to limit their alcohol intake to one or two units a week.
A recent survey found that nine per cent of women are still drinking above the recommended levels.
Dr Sheila Shribman, the national clinical director for children, young people and maternity services, said: "It is vital that we alert pregnant women and women hoping to conceive about the potential dangers of excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
"Although there is still scientific uncertainty about the precise impact of excess alcohol on unborn babies we believe the time is right to introduce a strong consistent approach across the whole of the UK."