Dear Ms Kyriakides,
New research by Gregor Kasprian et al.1 reveals that consumption of alcohol even in low to moderate amounts during pregnancy can change the baby’s brain structure and delay brain development. Fetal MRI scans were made of 24 fetuses with a known alcohol exposure. Seventeen out of the 24 mothers drank less than one alcoholic drink per week and still harm could be observed in the fetuses.
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can expose the fetus to a group of conditions called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Babies born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders could develop learning disabilities, behavioural problems or speech and language delays. Greatest changes were found in the brain region that has a big influence on language development during childhood. This research is in line with previous studies and reviews2 that conclude that no amount of alcohol is without health concerns.