'Alcohol should carry warnings'

Experts today called for labels on alcohol warning pregnant mothers of the risk it poses to their unborn child.

Doctors and campaign groups said there should be similar warnings on bottles to those on cigarette packets, saying drinking alcohol while pregnant can harm your child.

Such labels have been the norm in America since the late Eighties, and a recent court case has also forced the French government to agree to label alcohol bottles.

Drinking during pregnancy can cause Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), with symptoms ranging from hyperactivity to intellectual deficiency and facial deformity.

A study carried out by infant health charity Tommy's found that two in five pregnant women admit to drinking alcohol.

Susan Fleisher, director of The National Organisation For Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, said: "There are warnings on Lemsip saying consult your doctor before taking it if you are pregnant but there is no warning on alcohol - it seems bizarre.

"Alcohol passes through the placenta into the baby better than heroin. It is the most dangerous drug a woman can take when pregnant."

Experts agree an infant is at risk if the mother drinks four units of alcohol in one sitting or seven in a week.

Labour MP Ross Cranston is chairing a conference on the issue today and pushing for the problem to be tackled in the next Government white paper on public health.