Addiction experts remind: There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed in children. Only complete abstinence during pregnancy eliminates the risk of FASD in a child, experts from the National Center for Addiction Prevention remind us on World FASD Day.

This day falls on September 9th and is intended to help raise awareness about FASD, especially among women who are planning to have a child or are pregnant. The date of this celebration is not accidental – the ninth day of the ninth month commemorates the nine months of pregnancy, during which complete abstinence is required to protect the child's health, according to materials sent to the Polish Press Agency (PAP).

Research conducted by the Institute of Mother and Child, which analyzed hair samples and the concentration of the alcohol metabolite ethylglucuronide, shows that half of pregnant women have consumed alcohol. Meanwhile, experts from the National Center for Addiction Prevention (NCAP) warn that there is no safe level of alcohol during pregnancy. Any amount of alcohol passes to the developing fetus in the womb. Therefore, even one glass of wine or one beer consumed during pregnancy can cause permanent damage to the fetus's brain or other organs (i.e., Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - FASD), the effects of which will last a lifetime.

As we read on the KCPU website, it is estimated that in European countries, FASD is the most common non-genetic neurodevelopmental disorder, affecting approximately 1% of all live births.

FASD encompasses a variety of developmental disorders, from mild learning disabilities to more severe physical and neurological defects. The most severe form is FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome).

Some children with FASD may exhibit subtle impairments that become apparent only at school age or later. These include learning and behavioral problems. In many cases, these existing problems are not related to prenatal alcohol exposure, delaying the child's appropriate assistance. This is particularly true for children with FASD who do not have congenital physical defects but do have cognitive deficits and/or behavioral problems.

FASD may manifest itself through: damage to the central nervous system, neurological disorders, delayed physical and mental development, behavioral disorders, mental retardation, psychomotor hyperactivity, and developmental defects (including those of the heart and joints).

As a result, the child may have difficulties with learning, concentration, memory and problem-solving skills, motor coordination, speech disorders, as well as with relationships with people and following social norms.

In the case of FAS – the most severe form of FASD – in addition to damage to the central nervous system, growth disorders occur both in utero and postnatally, and facial dysmorphia (narrow palpebral fissures, absent philtrum, absent upper lip). Other features that may also frequently occur include microcephaly, a flattened midface, a short, upturned nose, a small lower jaw, asymmetrically set ears, and an epicanthic fold (at the corner of the eye).

Specialists from the Department of Child and Adolescent Developmental Disorders (KCPU) emphasize that FASD is a complex disorder, and therefore its diagnosis and treatment should be the responsibility of multidisciplinary teams. An FASD diagnosis should always be made by a team consisting of at least a pediatrician, a psychologist, and a family coordinator.

In children with FASD, typical parenting and educational techniques fail to produce the desired results. Therefore, the goal of therapeutic work with these individuals should be to empower them. The goal is to teach them to function without constant support and assistance from others. This presents a significant challenge for parents, educators, teachers, therapists, and others working with the child.

Currently, the most promising method of work is the family-focused approach, which involves, among other things, creating an interdisciplinary support and care team around the child and family, and preparing parents to take on the role of coordinator of the child's therapy.

Experts from the KCPU emphasize that FASD is a disorder that could be avoided if women abstained completely during pregnancy. Because alcohol has a toxic effect from the very first moments of fetal development, it is best to discontinue it as early as the pregnancy planning stage. It should also be avoided during breastfeeding. Furthermore, the father's lifestyle and health habits – including alcohol consumption – also impact sperm quality, the course of conception, and the health of future offspring, the experts conclude. (PAP)

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