Investigating the effects of low to moderate levels of prenatal alcohol exposure on child behaviour: a critical review.
Conflicting findings exist regarding the risks of low to moderate levels of alcohol use during pregnancy. A recent study from Australia has suggested that mild gestational drinking is not associated with adverse fetal effects, and may even be associated with favorable outcomes as compared to "no drinking".The study may lead women to continue consuming alcohol throughout pregnancy, despite methodological limitations that render its conclusions uncertain. This review discusses the challenges of assessing long-term effects of moderate drinking during pregnancy. Recommendations are provided for researchers investigating the effects of prenatal alcohol consumption on subsequent developmental outcomes in children.
Department of Psychology, York University.
Michelle
M
Todorow
Timothy E
TE
Moore
Gideon
G
Koren
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012107:Research Design; D013997:Time Factors