Pregnancy News
Alcohol Consumption While Pregnant
Recent studies have revealed that a shocking number of pregnant women continue to consume alcohol even after discovering they are pregnant. In fact, more than half of women in Western countries consume alcoholic beverages while pregnant despite the evidence proving the adverse effects of alcohol on child development. According to the National Health Service, older mothers are more likely than younger mothers to drink alcohol when pregnant. In a survey conducted in the United Kingdom, it was found that 61% of women age 35 and over drank while pregnant compared to 47% of pregnant women under the age of 20. This statistic leads experts to worry that the number of children born to mothers who drink will increase as women put off having children. Children born to mothers who drink during pregnancy have a greater likelihood of developing drug and alcohol problems, having trouble in school and displaying anti-social behavior. The damage caused to the child varies according to how much alcohol was consumed during pregnancy. Large quantities of alcohol can cause non-genetic intellectual disability and severe learning difficulties, impaired intellect, certain facial characteristics and growth development problems. A smaller consumption of alcohol can cause hyperactivity, poor memory and planning skills, poor coordination and a low IQ. The Depart of Health advises women to abstain from drinking during pregnancy or to at least limit alcohol consumption to less than two units of alcohol per week.
www.telegraph.co.uk
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