To the Editor: I thank Cameron and colleagues for their timely report,1 particularly in the context of publicity for a new self-help book by economist Emily Oster, which questions advice about avoiding alcohol during pregnancy.2,3 I note with interest that Cameron et al’s study reports that proportionally more of the women who consumed alcohol beyond the first trimester were older and more highly educated.
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- 1. Cameron CM, Davey TM, Kendall E, et al. Changes in alcohol consumption in pregnant Australian women between 2007 and 2011. Med J Aust 2013; 199: 355-357. <MJA full text>
- 2. Oster E. The pregnancy studies to take notice of. Essential Baby 2013; 31 Aug. http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/action/printArticle?id=4708242 (accessed Sep 2013).
- 3. Oster E. Take back your pregnancy. Wall Street Journal 2013; Aug 9. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323514404578652091268307904.html (accessed Sep 2013).
- 4. Wattendorf DJ, Muenke M. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Am Fam Physician 2005; 72: 279-285.
- 5. Flak AL, Su S, Bertrand J, et al. The association of mild, moderate, and binge prenatal alcohol exposure and child neuropsychological outcomes: a meta-analysis. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2013; 1 Aug [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1111/acer.12214.
- 6. National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol. Canberra: NHMRC, 2009. http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/ds10-alcohol.pdf (accessed Sep 2013).
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