Irish Wedding News
11/09/2014
A new study has found that binge drinking during pregnancy can increase the risk of mental health problems in children.
As a consequence, the problems, particularly hyperactivity and inattention, can lead to a negative effect on a child's school examination results by the age of 11, the research found.
Led by the University of Nottingham, the findings revealed this was the case even if other factors, both lifestyle and social, were taken into account. The other factors include the mum's own mental health, if she smoked tobacco, used cannabis or other drugs during pregnancy, education, age and how many other children the woman had.
The research has been published in the journal European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and looked at data from more than 4,000 members of the 'Children of the 90s' study which was carried out by a team of experts from Nottingham, Bristol, Leicester, Oxford, Sheffield and Queensland, Australia.
The study builds on earlier research – on the same children – which found a link between binge drinking in pregnancy and the child's mental health when they were aged four, and then aged seven, suggesting that problems can persist as a child gets older. Other effects, such as academic performance, may only become apparent later in a child's life.
The women participating in the study were asked about their drinking pattern at 18 and 32 weeks of their pregnancy, and again when their child was five years old. One in four mothers reported a pattern of binge drinking – defined as drinking four or more units of alcohol in a day – at least once during pregnancy, while more than half of said they had done so once or twice in the month prior to being asked. A majority who admitted binge drinking at 18 weeks, also reported the same when asked again at 32 weeks, suggesting that the pattern might have persisted during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
The analysis separated binge and regular daily drinking and it was reported that an episodic binge pattern drinking was associated with slightly higher levels of hyperactivity and inattention, and lower academic scores, when teachers' questionnaires were taken into consideration. Looking at the parent questionnaires that were also completed for the study, a binge pattern was also associated with higher levels of hyperactivity and inattention, with the effect more pronounced in girls than boys.
Interestingly, the research stated that binge pattern drinking when the child was aged five, however, was not associated with negative effects on mental health and later school results at age 11, therefore suggesting that the risks of alcohol exposure occur while the child is in the womb.
Lead author, Professor Kapil Sayal from the University of Nottingham, said: "Women who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant should be aware of the possible risks associated with episodes of heavier drinking during pregnancy, even if this only occurs on an occasional basis.
"The consumption of four or more drinks in a day may increase the risk for hyperactivity and inattention problems and lower academic attainment even if daily average levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy are low.
"The study's findings highlight the need for clear policy messages about patterns of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, whereby women who choose to drink occasionally should avoid having several drinks in a day."
However, Professor Sayal added: "The information was collected in 1991-1992 when attitudes towards drinking in pregnancy may have been different in the UK. As this was over 20 years ago, this may not necessarily reflect the current picture."
(JP/CD)
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Binge Drinking Can Affect A Child's Health
A new study has found that binge drinking during pregnancy can increase the risk of mental health problems in children.
As a consequence, the problems, particularly hyperactivity and inattention, can lead to a negative effect on a child's school examination results by the age of 11, the research found.
Led by the University of Nottingham, the findings revealed this was the case even if other factors, both lifestyle and social, were taken into account. The other factors include the mum's own mental health, if she smoked tobacco, used cannabis or other drugs during pregnancy, education, age and how many other children the woman had.
The research has been published in the journal European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and looked at data from more than 4,000 members of the 'Children of the 90s' study which was carried out by a team of experts from Nottingham, Bristol, Leicester, Oxford, Sheffield and Queensland, Australia.
The study builds on earlier research – on the same children – which found a link between binge drinking in pregnancy and the child's mental health when they were aged four, and then aged seven, suggesting that problems can persist as a child gets older. Other effects, such as academic performance, may only become apparent later in a child's life.
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The women participating in the study were asked about their drinking pattern at 18 and 32 weeks of their pregnancy, and again when their child was five years old. One in four mothers reported a pattern of binge drinking – defined as drinking four or more units of alcohol in a day – at least once during pregnancy, while more than half of said they had done so once or twice in the month prior to being asked. A majority who admitted binge drinking at 18 weeks, also reported the same when asked again at 32 weeks, suggesting that the pattern might have persisted during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
The analysis separated binge and regular daily drinking and it was reported that an episodic binge pattern drinking was associated with slightly higher levels of hyperactivity and inattention, and lower academic scores, when teachers' questionnaires were taken into consideration. Looking at the parent questionnaires that were also completed for the study, a binge pattern was also associated with higher levels of hyperactivity and inattention, with the effect more pronounced in girls than boys.
Interestingly, the research stated that binge pattern drinking when the child was aged five, however, was not associated with negative effects on mental health and later school results at age 11, therefore suggesting that the risks of alcohol exposure occur while the child is in the womb.
Lead author, Professor Kapil Sayal from the University of Nottingham, said: "Women who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant should be aware of the possible risks associated with episodes of heavier drinking during pregnancy, even if this only occurs on an occasional basis.
"The consumption of four or more drinks in a day may increase the risk for hyperactivity and inattention problems and lower academic attainment even if daily average levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy are low.
"The study's findings highlight the need for clear policy messages about patterns of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, whereby women who choose to drink occasionally should avoid having several drinks in a day."
However, Professor Sayal added: "The information was collected in 1991-1992 when attitudes towards drinking in pregnancy may have been different in the UK. As this was over 20 years ago, this may not necessarily reflect the current picture."
(JP/CD)
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