Story highlights Drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk the baby could have myriad problems

Every baby and mother will react differently to alcohol, and so the safest thing is to not drink at all

(CNN) In an effort to once and for all put a rest to any debate about drinking during pregnancy, the American Academy of Pediatrics has put out a clear message: Don't do it. Ever. At all. Not even a tiny bit.

"No amount of alcohol should be considered safe to drink during any trimester of pregnancy," the group wrote.

The group released a report Monday identifying prenatal exposure to alcohol as the leading preventable cause of birth defects, as well as cognitive problems later in life.

Health authorities in nearly every other country also advise pregnant women unequivocally not to drink, according to the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking

Italy and the United Kingdom are two exceptions. While authorities there instruct pregnant women not to drink, they say if women do choose to imbibe, they should limit it to about one drink, once or twice a week.

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