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September 8, 2008 11:01:35 AM CDT

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Prenatal Binge Drinking May Have Little Risk, Study Finds

Posted Nov 14, 07 3:40 PM CST in Science & Health 

(Newser) – Pregnant women have been told to avoid alcohol for decades, but a new study suggests that occasional drinking and even a binge now and then could be OK, ABC News reports. Researchers at Oxford University looked at 35 years of studies and found no consistent link between sporadic binge drinking and birth defects. Doctors were quick to urge caution.

"It flies against common sense," one said. "We don't know how much is too much." Specialists emphasized that the damaging effects of heavy drinking on fetuses are not in doubt. There are fears the study will send mixed messages to expectant moms—but it might give some peace of mind to women who partied hard before learning they were pregnant.

Sources ABC News, BBC

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Francine Krause at Destination Maternity. (PRNewsFoto/Destination Maternity)   (Associated Press)
Doctors warn that new research suggesting occasional binge drinking while pregnant may not be harmful sends mixed messages to expectant mothers.   (Index Open)
Tezon Bloody Maria; A Mother's Day cocktail created by Tequila Tezon. (PRNewsFoto/Pernod Ricard USA)   (Associated Press)
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pregnancy  • medical research  • binge drinking  • fetal alcohol syndrome  • fetal development


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