Drinking During Pregnancy: An Expert Gives Advice

It’s a question many women ask themselves during pregnancy: is an occasional glass of wine harmful to the baby?

While the most recent research shows that the answer to this question is definitely yes for large amounts of alcohol, or binge drinking, the answer is less clear for small amounts. Although any alcohol consumption carries some risk, says Vidya Rajagopalan, a principal investigator at the Saban Research Institute at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Her research involves studying the development of a baby’s brain in utero using advanced MRI scans. Rajagopalan also participates in the National Institutes of Health’s HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Studywhich looks at the use of alcohol and other substances during pregnancy, she noted.

What have they discovered so far? Studies clearly show that drinking large amounts of alcohol during pregnancy affects the health of a baby.

“When pregnant women drink a lot of alcohol, they are at a higher risk of having children with neurodevelopmental problems,” Rajagopalan said. “The science shows that fetal alcohol spectrum disorders occur with heavy or binge drinking.”

Such conditions are associated with a variety of symptoms, including:

• Brain and facial abnormalities
• Challenges with eating and sleeping
• Problems with hearing and vision
• Low birth weight

Children with these disorders are more likely to have cognitive and behavioral problems, and may also be at greater risk for developing alcohol or drug abuse problems later in life.

But what about much smaller amounts of alcohol consumption during pregnancy?

“The general guidance from national organizations like the CDC and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology is that there is no safe limit,” Rajagopalan said. “There is no accepted scientific evidence that shows that low levels of drinking are safe.”

One reason for this is that studies that require pregnant women to drink alcohol would not be feasible or ethical. “We can’t do tests that could potentially harm a baby or a mother,” she noted.

Another reason is that alcohol is just one of many factors that drive a baby’s development, Rajagopalan said. Genetics, the mother’s physical and mental health and environmental concerns also need to be considered.

What should pregnant women do?

Before deciding whether or not to have a drink, they should be aware of all the risks, Rajagopalan said.

“We don’t have a scientific way to prove that one glass of wine is OK,” she said. “I encourage women to discuss the risks with their health care provider and hold their health care provider accountable for giving them reliable information.”

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