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Alcohol consumption reported by one in 10 pregnant women

Over 10% of pregnant women report drinking alcohol, with more than 3% reporting an episode of binge drinking, according to recent data from the CDC.

“Women who are pregnant or might be pregnant should be aware that there is no known safe level of alcohol that can be consumed at any time during pregnancy. All types of alcohol should be avoided, including red or white wine, beer and liquor,” Cheryl Tan, MPH, an epidemiologist in CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, said in a press release.

To assess trends in alcohol use among women, both pregnant and nonpregnant, between the ages of 18 and 44 years, Tan and colleagues analyzed data from the 2011 to 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Results demonstrated that over 53% of nonpregnant women reported drinking alcohol within the past 30 days, and 18.2% reported binge drinking within the past 30 days.

Over 10% of pregnant women reported drinking alcohol within the past 30 days, and 3.1% reported binge drinking within the past 30 days.

Binge drinking was more frequent among pregnant women (4.6 episodes), compared with nonpregnant women (3.1 episodes), according to the study.

Alcohol use was highest among pregnant women between the ages of 35 and 44 years, college graduates and women who were not married.

The researchers noted that more comprehensive approaches, in addition to alcohol screening and interventions in primary care, are needed to deter pregnant women from drinking and reduce binge drinking among women of childbearing age.

“We know that alcohol use during pregnancy can cause birth defects and developmental disabilities in babies, as well as an increased risk of other pregnancy problems, such as miscarriage, stillbirth and prematurity,” Coleen Boyle, PhD, director of CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, said in a press release. “This is an important reminder that women should not drink any alcohol while pregnant. It’s just not worth the risk.” – by Casey Hower