Light consumption of alcohol during pregnancy will not harm a child's neurological development, claim British researchers.
The research studied 15, 000 children till age 7, whose mothers indulged in moderate drinking during pregnancy. The results showed that the children did not suffer any neurological or behavioral problems.
"There appears to be no increased risk of negative impacts of light drinking in pregnancy on behavioral or (mental) development in 7-year-old children," study co-author Yvonne Kelly said in a news release.
However, researches in the past showed that heavy drinking during pregnancy impacted the health and development in children.
The participants were tested for math, reading and spatial skills. Their parents and teachers informed the researchers about the children's social and emotional behavior.
The results showed that children born to light drinkers suffered from few behavioral problems than those born to mothers who didn't drink during pregnancy. But, the number was not too significant.
The children of light drinkers were good at math, reading and spatial skills, the study found.
"While we have followed these children for the first seven years of their lives, further research is needed to detect whether any adverse effects of low levels of alcohol consumption in pregnancy emerge later in childhood," Kelly said.
According to a U.S. expert, the research is useful. HealthDayNews quoted Dr Keith Eddleman of Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City as saying, "The problem is that no one knows the exact amount of alcohol consumption that is safe, so many doctors in this country choose a conservative approach and tell their patients not to drink any alcohol."
Eddleman said the new study "begins to provide some objective information on this issue."
