Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Affects 40,000 Newborns Each Year
HARRISBURG – September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Month, bringing a reminder from the Pennsylvania Department of Health of the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
FASD is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in children exposed to alcohol during fetal development. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications.
Various studies have shown there is no safe level of drinking during pregnancy. Alcohol has more harmful, long-term effects to an unborn child than heroin or cocaine. Most individuals do not realize that even one binge-drinking episode can result in permanent damage to the fetus.
“Nearly 12 percent of pregnant women reported using alcohol within the past month,” said Department of Health Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Janice Kopelman. “This, coupled with a prevalence of one in 100 live births being impacted by FASD, demonstrates the importance of continued public education about the dangers of drinking while pregnant. FASD is fully preventable.”
There will be multiple events throughout the month of September in support of the “NineZero…nine months of pregnancy, zero alcohol use” prevention campaign in support of the monthly designation. The campaign provides education and awareness about the harmful effects of drinking during pregnancy.
For more information about FASD, visit the Department of Health online at www.health.state.pa.us.