Mums-to-be 'CAN have a glass of wine a day without harming their child's development'

(DailyMail) - Having a glass of wine a day during pregnancy may not harm the child’s development, claim researchers.

A large new study says the children of mothers who drank ‘moderately’ in pregnancy actually grew up to have better balance than those who abstained.

British researchers say being able to balance - on a beam or standing on one leg - is a sign of good brain development while in the womb.

Although official guidance says alcohol is to be avoided in pregnancy, other studies have also found light drinking does not adversely affect many aspects of brain function and behaviour.

The latest study shows up to seven glasses of alcohol a week does not seem to harm fetal neurodevelopment, as indicated by the child’s ability to balance.

Professor John Macleod of Bristol University, who led the research, said he intends to continue telling women if they want to ‘play safe’ they should not drink while pregnant.

But he added: ‘There is no strong evidence that moderate alcohol consumption of a glass of wine a day has important adverse effects on the child.’

The research looked at 7,000 children whose mothers’ alcohol consumption during and after pregnancy was known, says a report the online medical journal BMJ Open.

They underwent a 20 minute balance assessment when they reached the age of 10 which included walking on a beam and static standing on one leg for 20 seconds with eyes open and then again with eyes closed. Each child had two attempts at the test.

Their dads were also asked how much alcohol they drank when their partners were three months pregnant.