Alcohol consumption during pregnancy may cause disability in newborn

A Consultant Paediatrician at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dr Micheal Adeoye has warned that prenatal alcohol exposure can result in a range of disabilities in a newborn, known as a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

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He noted that consuming alcohol during pregnancy can cause physical, intellectual, and behavioural problems that can last a lifetime after birth.

While stressing that there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, the physician explained that fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is a lifelong condition that can have a significant impact on a child’s development.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are a group of conditions that can occur in a person exposed to alcohol before birth.

The CDC noted that the effects of the disorder can include behavioural and learning challenges.

CDC added that children with the disorder can have problems with learning, attention, memory, speech, language, and motor skills.

Speaking with newsmen, the paediatrician said research has shown that even a small amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy can increase the risk of the disorder in newborns.

He explained that alcohol can cross the placenta and affect the developing baby’s brain, causing problems with the way the brain develops and functions.

Adeoye added that alcohol exposure during pregnancy can also affect the growth and development of other organs in the baby, such as the heart and kidneys.

He further said taking alcohol during pregnancy can cause low birth weight and lead to premature birth.

“It is important to spread the word about the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy so that women can make informed choices about their health and the health of their babies. Even just one drink can have lasting consequences.

“There is no safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Every sip of alcohol is a risk to the developing fetus.

“We need to educate women about the risks of drinking during pregnancy and provide them with the support they need to make healthy choices.

“Many women don’t know that even a small amount of alcohol can cause harm to their baby. In addition, many women may not know that they are pregnant in the early weeks of their pregnancy, and may continue to drink alcohol without realising the risks,” he noted.

A study published in the Journal of Paediatrics in 2011, found that children with FASD were more likely to have problems with behaviour, learning, and language.

The study, which was conducted by a team of researchers from across Canada, followed a group of children with FASD from birth to age 10.

During the study, the researchers discovered that children with FASD were more likely to be living in poverty, and were born to parents struggling with substance abuse.

The study found that children with FASD often have difficulty regulating their emotions, and can struggle with anger, frustration, and impulsivity.

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