CDC: 10 Percent of Pregnant Women Drink

CDC: 10 Percent of Pregnant Women Drink
January 12, 2005

Research Summary

About 10 percent of pregnant women use alcohol, and roughly 2 percent binge drink or drink frequently, according to a recent study from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For the study, CDC researchers looked at data on women ages 18-44 who are or might become pregnant, drawing on the 2002 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Participants were quizzed on their alcohol use in the previous 30 days; binge drinking was defined as having five or more drinks at one sitting, while frequent drinking was defined as consuming seven or more drinks per week.

The CDC also reported that among women not using birth control, half used alcohol and 12.4 percent engaged in binge drinking. Women who could become pregnant also should abstain from alcohol use, researchers noted.

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