Pregnancy And Alcohol - No Drinking Is The Safest Option

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 07 Jun 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia released new alcohol guidelines for pregnant women, stating that 'no drinking is the safest option'.

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy has been associated with increased risks of miscarriage, stillbirth, intrauterine growth restriction, pre-term birth and low birth-weight.

However, the best known adverse effect of alcohol exposure on the fetus is the fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) which is associates with a range of birth defects and ongoing educational, behavioral and psychological problems.

With over half the Australian women still consuming alcohol during pregnancy, obstetricians and other health professionals have the responsibility to provide accurate information about the harmful effects of alcohol.

"Alcohol and Pregnancy: The pivotal role in the obstetrician"
Elizabeth J. Elliott And Carol Bower
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 48 (3) 236-239 doi:10.1111/j.1479-828X.2008.00876.x
Click here to view abstract online

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ANZJOG) is an editorially independent publication owned by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) and the RANZCOG Research foundation. ANZJOG aims to provide a medium for the publication of original contributions to clinical practice and/or research in all fields of obstetrics and gynaecology and related disciplines. Articles are peer reviewed by clinicians or researchers expert in the field of the submitted work.

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology