There are researches suggesting that consuming small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy may have no effects on unborn babies, but a prominent medical organization suggests drinking while pregnant will lead to no good.
"The research suggests that the smartest choice for women who are pregnant is to just abstain from alcohol completely," said Dr. Janet Williams, according to CBS News. Williams, a professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center, recently co-authored a clinical report for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
In new policy on #FASD, the AAP says no amount of alcohol safe during pregnancy https://t.co/DApDiRahP6
— Amer Acad Pediatrics (@AmerAcadPeds) October 19, 2015
The journal report said "there is no safe trimester to drink alcohol" and that "all forms of alcohol, such as beer, wine, and liquor, pose similar risk."
The term that spans all birth defects caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy is fetal alcohol spectrum disorders or FASDs, according to AAP's Clinical Report on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
"Even though fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are the most commonly identifiable causes of developmental delays and intellectual disabilities, they remain significantly under-recognized," added Williams, according to AAP.
Some of the symptoms of FASDs may be growth delay, facial features that are unnatural, weakened immune systems and mental health problems. Most severe instances may results in fetal death, according to the Inquisitr.
