December 24, 2004
JUST one and a half drinks a week for a pregnant woman
could make the difference between having a child who makes the school cricket
team and "the clumsy kid at school". AMA president Bill Glasson said the guidelines -- which merely suggest women
"consider" not drinking -- are too lax, and that no alcohol at all
while pregnant is the only safe option.
"The current Australian guidelines on drinking during pregnancy are not
strong enough and can mislead women to think it's safe to consume alcohol during
pregnancy when it clearly is not," Dr Glasson said.
Even moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy has been linked to birth
defects known as fetal alcohol syndrome, which may include physical
disabilities, mental retardation and problems with learning, memory, problem
solving and social and behavioural problems. The AMA said fetal alcohol syndrome had occurred in women who drank four to
five drinks daily or binged on alcohol, but that "possibly just one and a
half drinks a week" could be enough to affect fetal development in some
women.
"It could make the difference between your child being on the cricket
team and being the clumsy kid at school," Dr Glasson said.
The present Australian alcohol guidelines state that pregnant women, or women
planning pregnancy, should "consider not drinking at all" and if they
do drink, should "have less than seven standard drinks over a week",
with no more than two in one day.
The guidelines were compiled by the federal Health Department and are
endorsed by Australia's top health standards and advice body, the National
Health and Medical Research Council.
The Australian Medical Association has warned that pregnant women who drink
alcohol risk harming their unborn children even if they heed Australia's
existing official guidelines on the consumption of alcohol.