Campaigners and doctors are calling for stronger warnings about drinking during pregnancy, ahead of a legal test case on foetal alcohol syndrome. The case will decide if a child born with serious disabilities caused by her mother's alcohol consumption should be eligible for compensation as a victim of crime. Some estimates suggest that thousands are born every year in the UK with serious health defects caused by alcohol. Senior health officials have said there are mixed messages on the issue. NHS guidance states ‘women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should avoid alcohol altogether’. But it continues: ‘If they do choose to drink, to minimise the risk to the baby, we recommend they should not drink more than one or two units once or twice a week, and should not get drunk.’