New blood tests reveal the drinking habits of pregnant women

Pregnant women are being asked to take new blood tests that reveal their drinking habits and could leave them accused of putting the health of their unborn children at risk.

The test, which gives results in an hour, allows midwives to construct a picture of how much a mother-to-be has drunk over the previous fortnight, even if she has avoided alcohol in the days before the appointment.

The blood test reveals evidence of heavy long-term drinking, while a related urine test also reveals more occasional binge-drinking. Excessive drinking during pregnancy can lead to a range of mental and physical birth defects known collectively as foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.