Opinions - Article: Booze and pregnancy risks little understood

[~lostgurl~]

Booze and pregnancy risks little understood

12 May 2007
NZ Herald

MELBOURNE: One in three Australian women do not understand how alcohol affects an unborn baby and about the same number say they will drink through their next pregnancy. Health experts have labelled as "frightening" a survey that clearly shows many women of child-bearing age have no idea that drinking in pregnancy can inflict serious, long-term physical and mental damage on a child.

An annual physicians' conference in Melbourne was told that the revelation should help shape new national guidelines for drinking in pregnancy to be unveiled this year. The unpublished study showed that more than a third of 1103 Australian women questioned did not know about the adverse effects of alcohol on the fetus. About the same number would continue to drink during a future pregnancy, including the first trimester which is the most vulnerable stage.

Study leader Dr Elizabeth Peadon, from the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, said the figures highlight the need for ongoing education for women on alcohol drinking in pregnancy. "While the majority of women in this survey were aware of the effects, a frightening percentage were not and nor were they concerned," Dr Peadon said.

Australian guidelines currently recommend no more than two standard drinks a day and no more than seven a week for pregnant women, but both the US and the UK advise abstinence.

Professor Elizabeth Elliott, a leading paediatrician from the University of Sydney, said the new results were concerning and indicated that the "no alcohol" message might be the best choice. "No safe lower level has yet been established, so the safest option right now is to just avoid it," Professor Elliott said.

Alcohol causes many problems in pregnancy including stillbirth, prematurity, low birth-weight and miscarriage. Affected babies can grow up with birth defects, neurodevelopment problems and, in the worst case, fetal alcohol syndrome, a severe disorder linked to a raft of physical and mental problems.

Professor Elliott presented new research showing that 92 cases were diagnosed in Australia between 2001 and 2004, with 64 per cent in indigenous families. In half of the cases, another sibling in the family was also affected. Children were being diagnosed too late, some as late as 12 years old, when intervention was less effective. Professor Elliott said she believed the condition was under-reported because of a lack of knowledge by health professionals, the perceived stigma and the lack of diagnostic services.

- AAP

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/s...ectid=10439194

Reputation Comments on this post:

Good article, women are so misinformed about booze and pregancy. I work with these kids and it makes me ill to see a pg ...

[tayo]

As far as nutrition goes, things are filtered very well before they get to the fetus. The amount of alcohol as well as what stage in development the fetus is in depends as well, I'm sure. There is alot to learn as far as health risks and what exactly is passed from mother to child, and in what stages of fetal development different things are more likely to occur. I mean... scientists are still studying links between what a mother eats when a baby is in the woom and that same baby 20 years later having poor cholestoral. And then there is the whole genetics aspect to it where certain mothers will have a better regulation on what goes into the fetus and whether the fetus has a genetic history of bad cholesterol. Now this brings up an interesting idea that maybe alot of alcoholism isn't necessarily genetic but possibly a fetus was exposed to alcohol in the woom and naturally the first time they try it they will make some subconscious association with being in the comfort of the woom... something like that. maybe someone has better-refined that last statement though.

[motorhead]

1 in 3 say they will drink through their next pregnancy? That is scary. I don't have any data to post other than the fact I know of several kids that have FAS just around where I live here in eastern Canada. Sad stuff.

Its not for lack of information on the topic. Most developed countries have lots of information and educational aids for women who become pregnant. I think it just shows that some people just shouldnt have kids.

[cyndi]

OH my goodness, fetal alcohol syndrome is very common with these babies. They come out retarded or with learning disabilities in mild cases if they are lucky. Most have physical deformities which are smaller heads than the average healthy baby for example. Women definitely should abstain from drinking if pregnant or just not get pregnant if they can't stop. They should be more educated before messing up their baby. Good post, booze yes just as bad as dope for the baby.

Also yes the placenta does filter some but not all of the bad stuff so women don't think that will save your baby if pregnant. If a woman is pregnant and using, do what you have to do for 9 months to clean up if it means going to rehab or jail. A little life depends on you and you must think of that precious baby and how your issues could alter his little life always. Sorry swim will get off the soapbox now.

Reputation Comments on this post:

stay on the soap box