Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
19 February 2014 21:24
Ill advised: new research offers a further reason why pregnancy and drinking alcohol should not be mixed
Drinking even moderately is bad for a pregnant woman's placenta, according to a new study.
The placenta supplies everything that a developing infant needs until birth.
But scientists have found that women who drink alcohol at moderate or heavy rates during the early part of their pregnancy might harm the growth and function of this organ.
University of Manchester researchers examined placentas in laboratory conditions.
They found that drinking alcohol at moderate (2/3 standard drinks) to high (4-6 standard drinks) levels lowered the cell growth in a woman's placenta.
But women who are 0-28 weeks' pregnant need not totally put their life on hold just because they are carrying. They can enjoy a holiday with peace of mind by taking out pregnancy travel insurance, which offers medical expenses cover for pregnancy and childbirth during this timespan.
The research looked at the effect of alcohol and its major toxic breakdown product, acetaldehyde, on the placenta in the opening few weeks of pregnancy.
This is a timespan key for normal development where three primary germ cell layers in the very early infant develop into internal organs.
While placental cell development was lessened at mid and heavy drinking rates, the cells that ensure the placenta fastens to the mother were unaffected.
Alcohol at extremely low concentrations (1-2 units, the equivalent to half or one standard drink) had no effect on growth or function.
Researchers also showed alcohol at moderate to high levels reduced the delivery of taurine, a vital amino acid, from mother to baby through the placenta.
Taurine is important for brain and physiological development.
But acetaldehyde had no effect on the delivery of taurine, suggesting that alcohol is the key culprit.
Reduced taurine has been found to have a negative impact on behaviour and physical development.
This may explain why some neurological symptoms are found in children of alcoholic mothers, the researchers claimed.
The British Medical Association-funded study is published in the PLoS One journal.
23 June 2017
The fall in the value of the pound could pose a shock to British holidaymakers this summer, a currency expert has warned.
[more...]
22 June 2017
Britons have been warned that they could be banned from all-inclusive holidays unless they stop making bogus food poisoning claims.
21 June 2017
Holidaymakers could save themselves money by opting for self-catering breaks this summer, a report has shown.
20 June 2017
From trips abroad to days out closer to home, the school holidays can be a costly time for families.
17 June 2017
Debit and credit card charges are causing holidaymakers to "waste" more than £100 million each year, a new report has warned.
16 June 2017
Aggressive and potentially lethal prostate cancer could be detected more quickly thanks to a simple blood test, scientists have revealed.
15 June 2017
Many holidaymakers are over-estimating the benefits offered by European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs), a new study warns.
14 June 2017
British holidaymakers will benefit from the end of mobile roaming charges this week.
13 June 2017
UK holidaymakers could face higher costs in the months ahead following the collapse in the pound, the owner of a major travel firm has warned.
10 June 2017
Holidaymakers planning trips abroad in the coming days will be monitoring the progress of the pound closely following the surprise general election result.
09 June 2017
Family holidays to traditional hotspots like Menorca and Ibiza could end up costing more than far-flung destinations such as Orlando, Thailand and Bali, surprising new research suggests.
08 June 2017
Two of Europe's major budget airlines enjoyed strong passenger growth last month, as the summer holiday season got under way.