Charities said the study on foetal alcohol spectrum disorder may cause pregnant women needless anxiety

One in six children shows signs of having been harmed by their mother drinking during pregnancy, according to a study that has been criticised for spreading fear about the consequences of prenatal alcohol consumption.

Millions of children may be doing worse at school and suffering cognitive and social problems into adulthood because of drinking in pregnancy, suggested researchers who concluded that foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) was far more common than previously thought.

The researchers insisted “the responsible message is abstinence”. The study cannot prove that drinking in pregnancy caused the problems and charities warned that overstating the harm of alcohol was terrifying women into aborting their babies.

While heavy drinking in pregnancy has long been known to be harmful, evidence on exactly how much