Alcohol addiction in pregnancy linked to behavioural problems in children

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by Change | 24 Nov 2009

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Children whose mother drinks large amounts of alcohol even during the first trimester of the pregnancy often suffer from a variety of behavioural problems during their childhood, a new study has claimed.

Women who drink heavily during the early months of pregnancy are more likely to produce children with behavioural problems according to a new study, demonstrating the danger of alcohol addiction to unborn children.

Research published in the journal Addiction has suggested that mothers who drink heavily during the first trimester of their pregnancy are three times more likely to produce a child that suffers from anxiety or depression.

"Exposure to moderate or heavy levels of alcohol in late pregnancy increased the risk of aggressive types of behaviours in the child," added lead author Colleen O'Leary.

The evidence provides another powerful reminder of the importance for women to tackle an alcohol addiction if they find out they are pregnant, because they will be damaging not only their own body but also the development of their unborn child.

alcohol addiction rehabilitation at a rehab clinic is an important step for many women to help beat their addiction and pregnancy can provide a powerful spur to seeking addiction treatment, as women realise their problems are no longer just harming themselves.

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