The study, conducted by the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, involved 1,131 pregnant women. The women completed a questionnaire during a visit to their doctor's office.

The survey showed that a majority of women said they drank one or fewer drinks per week while pregnant. Six percent reported binge drinking one or more times, while 15 percent said they didn't consume any alcohol during pregnancy.

"These findings support the feasibility and utility of routine screening in women seeking prenatal care," said Dr. Heather A. Flynn, lead author of the study. "The screening measures took less than 10 minutes to complete and, in most cases, were easily completed while the women waited for their appointments."

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, drinking during pregnancy puts the fetus at risk for premature birth, mental and physical retardation, and other medical problems.

The research is published in the January 2003 issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clininal and Experimental Research.

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