This is a very controversial question that comes up regularly in the news. According to a study published in the International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy has no impact on the development of the child. “We know that heavy drinking during pregnancy has a very deleterious effect, but drinking small amounts is unlikely to have any impact “, Says Professor Yvonne Kelly, co-author of the study. The researcher is not in her first publication on the subject. She followed the same cohort of children at 2, 5 years old and for this study at 7 years old. And each time, the results did not show significant differences either in behavioral or in terms of acquisition, between children born to mothers who consumed lightly alcohol during their pregnancy and those whose mothers have been abstinent. As in previous publications on the subject, the researcher concludes that consumption should not exceed one or two units of alcohol per week. Alcohol unit is a measure of the amount of pure alcohol contained in an alcoholic drink. It corresponds to 10 g of pure alcohol, or the equivalent of a standard glass of wine (12,5cl).
Results to be interpreted with caution
Zero alcohol during pregnancy: the recommendations in France are clear. In this area, the public authorities advocate total abstinence throughout the duration of pregnancy. And for good reason: alcohol, even consumed in small quantities, can have very serious consequences on the fetus. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is the number one cause of mental disability, of non-genetic origin, in children. The prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in the western world is estimated between 0,5 and 3 per thousand live births, while fetal alcohol disorder (FASD) is estimated at 9 per thousand live births. What then should we think of the work of Professor Kelly? “These are studies that seem to be well conducted,” recognizes Dr Carmen Kreft-Jaïs, project manager at the National Institute for Prevention and Education for Health (INPES). However, as the author of the study points out, these results may have certain biases.
First weakness of the investigation: we do not know the exact amount of alcohol that was consumed, at what period and for how long. Moreover, the fact of not being able to show any difference between these children does not necessarily mean that there is none. A study that does not demonstrate a risk does not exclude it. Some behavioral changes can be seen later. Studies on older children therefore seem necessary. Finally, the fetal alcohol disorder affect individuals very differently. “There are individual susceptibilities, environmental factors that will contribute to whether or not alcohol consumption has repercussions on the child. », Adds the specialist.
The safest option: refrain from drinking alcohol
Under these conditions, suggesting that a pregnant woman should not drink more than a certain quantity of alcohol per week by establishing a threshold not to be exceeded, appears not only difficult but also risky. Especially since we never know exactly the exact amount we have consumed and we tend to think that we have drunk less. In England, however, the trend is to relax recommendations. The Ministry of Health advocates total abstinence during the first trimester and then recommends that expectant mothers not to exceed two drinks per week for the rest of the pregnancy. “Alcohol remains toxic in terms of the development of the central nervous system throughout pregnancy,” says Dr. Carmen Kreft-Jaïs. In the first as in the last trimester, the developing fetus is extremely sensitive. In summary, while there is no risk in accidentally drinking a small amount of alcohol once, it makes sense not to consume alcohol at all when you are expecting a baby. This is the conclusion of Prof. Yvonne Kelly’s investigation: “If women are concerned about levels of alcohol consumption, the safest option would be to abstain from drinking during pregnancy. “. According to a study from 2010, 32% of pregnant women would continue to drink during their pregnancy : 3% at least once a week and 29% at least once a month. These figures are not alarmist, but they show the importance of continuing to prevent alcohol consumption during pregnancy. “The messages conveyed by the public authorities are not made to make future mothers feel guilty,” adds Dr. Carmen Kreft-Jaïs. The goal is simply to warn that alcohol can have a deleterious effect on the unborn child, with consequences that last a lifetime. “