Even small amounts of alcohol consumption is linked with deliquent behaviour of the chilren later in life,according to the new study.
Dr. Virginia Delaney-Black, of Children's Hospital of Michigan, the co author of the study,has come out with the finding that in comparison to the teetotallers ,women who drank the equivalent of one cocktail a week during pregnancy were three times more likely to have a child diagnosed with behavioral problems.This proves the adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on childhood behaviour.In their study which included 506 women, who were receiving prenatal care were made to answer questions about their alcohol consumption during their pregnancy.These women were contacted again when their children were between 6 and 7 years of age.
The investigators found that on examining the behavioural patterns of these kids ,maternal alcohol consumption in pregnancy was linked to aggression, delinquent behavior and attention problems in them.
Children with low levels of prenatal alcohol exposure--equivalent to an average of one cocktail per week across pregnancy--were three times as likely to have delinquent behavior scores in the clinical range.
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome. Symptoms of the syndrome include physical defects as well as problems with intellectual functioning, such as lowered IQ, attention deficits, and behavioral and emotional problems.
hence the researchers conclude that we should reinforce the Surgeon General's recommendation that pregnant women should abstain from drinking during pregnancy.
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