When researchers tested with potential confounding factors, however, they found that the results for the majority of cases didn’t prove to be significant. They found that there are increased chances of children being born with favourable developmental profiles for mothers who drink lightly, over those who don’t drink at all during their pregnancy. There was no noticeable risk or negative impact from low consumption on these areas of the child’s development.
The results of the study suggest that low level drinking is fairly safe with regards to the cognitive elements of development, but more in-depth study needs to take place in order to analyse the influence of a child’s environment on their intellectual development. The study involved analysis for the first seven years of the child’s life, but further research will need to take place to see whether the effects of the alcohol consumption occur later in life. Doctors still advise that women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should avoid drinking alcohol altogether, but if they do opt to drink they should limit it to a maximum of two units a week.