The American Academy of Pediatrics found that neurocognitive and behavioral problems resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure are lifelong but completely preventable as long as pregnant women abstain from alcohol use throughout their pregnancy.

The report concluded that there is no safe trimester in which pregnant women can consume alcohol without potentially putting their developing fetus at risk.

A previous study concluded that consuming two alcoholic beverages per week during pregnancy was not linked to developmental problems in mid-childhood.

According to a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 10 women reports drinking alcohol while pregnant.

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WABE has cut staff and programming to accommodate the loss of $1.9 million in annual funding from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, which Congress defunded this month. (Rodney Ho/AJC 2025)

Credit: Rodney Ho/AJC