Binge drinking linked to premature births

Binge drinking in the early months of pregnancy can lead to women giving birth prematurely, even if they stop once they realise they are expecting a baby, according to research published today.The study finds that low levels of drinking do not lead to premature births. Low levels were defined as no more than six standard-sized drinks a week - equivalent to 12.5 units or 100g of alcohol - or more than two such drinks on any occasion.But the lead author, Colleen O'Leary, from the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research at the University of Western Australia, said: "Our research shows pregnant women who drink more than one to two standard drinks per occasion and more than six standard drinks per week increase their risk of having a premature baby, even if they stop drinking before the second trimester. "The risk of pre-term birth is highest for pregnant women who drink...

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