Moms who drink 'have naughty children'

Are you pregnant? Then don't touch alcohol, otherwise you might end up having a naughty kid.

Researchers in the United States have carried out a study and found that women who drink spirit during pregnancy are more likely to cause bad behaviour in their children.

'We don't know what the safest level is for drinking in pregnancy. The evidence seems to suggest it is better not to drink at all,' according to lead researcher Professor Brian D' Onofrio of the Indiana University.

In fact, the researchers came to the conclusion after analysing the number of occasions thousands of women drank during pregnancy.

Subsequently, the team compared the data with reports of conduct problems from the mothers of over 8,600 children aged between four and 11. The problems included kicking, fighting, bullying and being disrespectful.

The team found that for each additional day of the week that the mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy, their children had an increase in conduct and impulsiveness problems than those kids whose mothers did not drink.

The link remained 'statistically significant' even after taking into account the mothers' drug use, education level or intellectual ability, according to the findings.

'The research shows alcohol's effect on the unborn baby has consequences for the child's behaviour several years later, even after genetic and parenting factors are taken into account,' according to Prof D' Onofrio.

The findings have been published in the 'Archives of General Psychiatry' journal.