Kia ora FANNZ
Here is a link to some significant
research that has hit NZ headlines showing that even very light drinking during
pregnancy can lower the IQ of a child when assessed at age 8, compared to those
born to mothers who abstained. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20325000
This is the same group of researchers
(Gray et al) whose earlier meta-analysis of observational studies had lead to
the belief that light to moderate consumption of alcohol prenatally did not
cause measurable harm which was very challenging to the public health advice to
avoid alcohol during pregnancy. The full paper can be viewed @ http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0049407
This news follows hard on the heels of a
NZ Herald article about some data shared at the Alcohol Healthwatch ‘Harm to
Harmony’ symposium earlier this week, that young Kiwi women are now more likely
to binge-drink than boys. The number drinking at least 8 drinks per occasion
has doubled since 2004, according to the research which is yet to be published,
with much of the rise being attributed to ready to drink products. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10847267
Ka kite
Christine Rogan
Alcohol Healthwatch
