Binge Drinking During Pregnancy Linked to Babies with Oral Clefts

Filed in archive First Trimester , Medical Issues on July 31, 2008

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Francisco Orellana

Here's another reason to avoid alcoholic drinks during pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester: a study showed that pregnant women who binge drink early in their pregnancy increase the likelihood that their babies will be born with oral clefts.

The researchers found that women who consumed an average of five or more drinks per sitting were more than twice as likely than non-drinkers to have an infant with either of the two major infant oral clefts: cleft lip with or without cleft palate, or cleft palate alone. Women who drank at this level on three or more occasions during the first trimester were three times as likely to have infants born with oral clefts.

While a glass of wine that you might have had before you found out you were pregnant most likely wouldn't have any effect on your baby, this study also emphasizes the need to determine whether you're pregnant as soon as possible so that you may adjust your lifestyle accordingly.