Expectant mothers who consume alcohol regularly may face a substantially increased risk of giving birth to children with autism, according to a recent study. The research, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, found that women who drank alcohol during pregnancy were three times more likely to have a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than those who abstained..
The study included data from over 11,000 women who were followed during their pregnancies and for several years after giving birth. The researchers found that women who reported drinking alcohol at least once a week during pregnancy had a 30% increased risk of having a child with ASD. This risk rose to 60% for women who drank heavily, defined as more than two drinks per day..
The study also found that the risk of ASD was highest among women who drank alcohol in the early stages of pregnancy. Women who drank alcohol during the first trimester were more than twice as likely to have a child with ASD than those who abstained..
The study’s findings are consistent with previous research that has linked alcohol consumption during pregnancy to an increased risk of ASD. However, this is the first study to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and ASD risk in such a large and diverse population..
The researchers say that their findings highlight the importance of avoiding alcohol during pregnancy. They note that even moderate alcohol consumption can increase the risk of ASD, and that the safest course of action is to abstain from alcohol completely..
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