Moderate drinking in early pregnancy branded 'safe'

Drinking a low or moderate amount of alcohol in early pregnancy has no significant effect on the development of five-year-olds, according to Danish research.

The findings published in the BJOG journal, suggested one to eight drinks a week was not linked to harm. But children whose mothers drank more than nine drinks per week were found to have a lower attention span.

Pat O'Brien, spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said it was a solid study, and alcohol in moderation (one or two units no more than twice a week) after 12 weeks of pregnancy is safe.