Maternal prenatal alcohol use is one of the leading preventable causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities. Children exposed to alcohol during fetal development can suffer a wide array of disorders. They can have behavior and learning problems. They can be born prematurely. They can be small for their age throughout their development. They can have vision, speech, and hearing problems. They can have breathing and heart problems. They may be born with arms or legs that aren’t completely developed. Or they could be mentally retarded.
In the United States, more children are born each year with the alcohol-related disorders, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND), than are born with Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, and Spina Bifida combined. Yet these alcohol-related disorders are 100% preventable if pregnant women avoid drinking alcohol.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 130,000 pregnant women per year in the United States consume alcohol at levels shown to increase the risk of having a baby with FAS or other alcohol-related conditions.
Alarmingly, the CDC reports that one in 30 women who know they are pregnant admits to what is termed “risk drinking” which is defined as 7 or more drinks per week, or 5 or more drinks on any one occasion (binge drinking) http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas/. In fact, the CDC found binge drinking to be the most dangerous pattern of drinking. In other words, having 5 or more drinks on one occasion is more harmful than having one drink per day for five days in a row.
FAS/ARND AFFECTS THE CHILDREN OF PEOPLE FROM ALL RACES, ALL WALKS OF LIFE, ALL SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUSES, AND ALL EDUCATION LEVELS.
Please take the time to learn the effects of alcohol on the development of an unborn child.
Suggested Resources
