There's no such thing as a safe alcohol level for expectant moms, reports Science Daily.
Researchers from the University of California, Riverside worked with laboratory mice and found that those whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy showed symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
It is a condition which includes altered gene expression and disrupted cognitive network development specifically in the brain's frontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making, logical thinking, emotions, balance, as well as motor, sensory, and verbal skills. Children with FASD may also have facial deformities such as wide-set eyes, a short nose, low nasal ridge, and thin upper lip.
Researchers strongly suggest avoiding drinking any form of liquor as during pregnancy.
“Would you put whisky in your baby's bottle? Drinking during pregnancy is not that much different,” says lead researcher Kelly Huffman. “If you ask me if you have three glasses of wine during pregnancy will your child have FASD, I would say probably not. If you ask if there will be changes in the brain, I would say, probably. There is no safe level of drinking during pregnancy.”
(Photo by tienvijftien via Flickr Creative Commons)
