New research has found that light drinking does not cause ill effects to unborn children.

Researchers from UCL (University College London) have concluded that drinking small amounts when pregnant does not cause behavioural problems in children – contrary to advice given by the government.

The DoH advises women to avoid alcohol or, if they wish to drink, consume no more than two units a week, while the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) advises women not to drink at all during the first three months of pregnancy.

However, the research from UCL has undertaken a study of nearly 12,500 three-year-olds and has found that drinking up to two glasses of wine a week or per occasion produces no ill effects.

In fact, it has found that boys born to mothers who drank lightly were 40% less likely to have behavioural problems while girls born to light drinkers were 30% less likely to have emotional symptoms and peer problems compared with those born to mothers who abstained from drink.

Dr Yvonne Kelly, lead author of the report from UCL’s Epidemiology & Public Health, said: “Very few studies have considered whether light drinking in pregnancy is a risk for behavioural and cognitive problems in children. Our research has found that light drinking by pregnant mothers does not increase the risk of behavioural difficulties or cognitive deficits.

“Indeed, for some behavioural and cognitive outcomes children born to light drinkers were less likely to have problems compared to children of abstinent mothers, although children born to heavy drinkers were more likely to have problems compared to children of mothers who drank nothing whilst pregnant.”

According to the NHS, alcohol passes from the mother’s blood through the placenta to the baby. As a baby’s liver is one of the last organs to develop, it cannot process alcohol as quickly as adults. Risks associated with heavy drinking when pregnant include miscarriage, damage to the baby’s organs and the nervous system, and physical and mental problems.

UCL researchers believe further research needs to be done to iron out the inconsistencies in policy around the subject.

The NHS has a website that offers advice on drinking and explains how to calculate the number of units in a drink. Visit: http://units.nhs.uk/ for all alcohol-related information.