Health Highlights: Nov. 1, 2008

Melamine-tainted milk killed at least four babies in China and sickened tens of thousands.

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Light Drinking During Pregnancy OK, Study Suggests

Drinking small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy doesn't increase the risk of cognitive or behavioral problems in children, according to a study by researchers at University College London in England.

They looked at 12,500 three-year-olds and found that boys born to light drinkers (a range of one drink every so often to two drinks per week) were 40 percent less likely to have conduct problems and 30 percent less likely to be hyperactive than those born to abstainers. Boys born to light drinkers also scored better on vocabulary tests and on identifying colors, shapes, letters and numbers,BBC Newsreported.

Girls born to light drinkers were 30 percent less likely to have emotional problems than those born to abstainers. The study was published in theInternational Journal of Epidemiology.

The researchers said their findings raise questions about recommendations for complete abstinence during pregnancy and suggest the need for further research.

But some experts were alarmed by the study.

"We are concerned that the findings from the UCL study may lull women into a false sense of security and give them the green light that there is no problem with drinking during pregnancy This is not the case," Dr.Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics at the British Medical Association, toldBBC News. "The BMA believes the simplest and safest advice is for women not to drink alcohol during pregnancy."