Expectant mothers who have an affinity for booze might want to change their ways. An ongoing study in New York found that pregnant women, who drink liquor, even in small amounts, are more likely to have alcohol-depended children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Researchers at the Binghamton University, headed by psychology professor Nicole Cameron, discovered that even a modest serving of liquor can increase a child's likelihood of becoming an alcoholic. The researchers drew their conclusion by testing nearly 100 mice, WBNG News reported.
"It was mind-blowing to see that just a little dose of alcohol exposure in utero could actually influence three generations down the line," said student researcher Daniel Popoola. The study also found that infants who receive more maternal care are less likely to be fond of drinking liquor.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse has pledged $400,000 for the research. Cameron and her team will be receiving $200,000 for the next two years. The study is expected to be published before 2019.
"We had all these excellent ideas of how to push it forward and we were hoping that we had the funding to be able to push it forward," said Popoola. "So when the funding came in we were very excited in the lab."
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists strongly advise women not to be lured by the trappings of the bottle during pregnancy. Drinking liquor while pregnant has been linked to increased risk for miscarriages and stillbirths.
Baby Center explained that when expectant mothers chug down a drink or two, the alcohol makes its way to their bloodstream before reaching the baby. Infants break down alcohol at a much slower rate than adults, meaning babies eventually wind up with higher levels of blood alcohol than their mothers.
Drinking liquor even just for a day during pregnancy can have adverse effects on babies such as hyperactivity and low birth weight. It can also cause a child to have problems with speech, language and attention span.
