Women who drink alcohol around the time of conception may put their babies at increased risk of type 2 diabetes and middle-age obesity, say researchers.
A University of Queensland laboratory-rat study found that the equivalent of five standard drinks consumed around the time of conception altered the development of the fetus.
"Monitoring the offspring of the laboratory rat model, we found the risk of becoming obese and developing type 2 diabetes in early middle age dramatically increased," said Associate Professor Karen Moritz.
"The usual risk factors of these two diseases are attributed to poor diet and lack of exercise, but our research showed exposure to alcohol around conception presents a risk similar to following a high-fat diet for a major proportion of life."
She said half of pregnancies in Australia were unplanned.
"Although most women stop drinking once they discover they are pregnant, a significant proportion are consuming alcohol at the time of conception, before they even know," she said.
They will now look out for the possibility of preventative interventions, such as giving a nutrient to the mother, even in later pregnancy, to see if changes caused by the early alcohol exposure can be reversed.
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