South Africa, and specifically the Northern Cape, has by far the highest rate of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the world.
FASD is caused when a pregnant woman consumes alcohol. This alcohol is absorbed through her bloodstream and reaches the unborn baby. The alcohol is toxic for the baby, and may damage any of the baby’s organs, with the brain the most vulnerable.
Awareness on FASD is highlighted on Friday (09/09) with International FASD Day. In a press release Dr Leana Olivier, spokesperson for the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR), says all children with FASD have some form of permanent brain damage, presenting as developmental delays, learning and behavioural problems.
The harm that can be prevented includes brain damage, leading to life-long learning and behavioural challenges. This often becomes apparent when the child goes to school, and in South Africa it is one of the leading causes of early school dropout. FASD, with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) as the most severe form of these disorders, is the most common cause of permanent mental disability in the world.
“Even if a baby is born without obvious FASD, we cannot be sure that there was no damage done to critical brain functions,” Olivier emphasises.
“Our message is that ‘no alcohol is safe at any time during pregnancy’. Even small amounts of alcohol have the potential to cause harm”.
The FASD prevention message must be heard early and often, Olivier remarks.
“It is tempting to make alcohol use during pregnancy merely an issue of personal responsibility, but that ignores the reality faced by millions in South Africa. We also turn a blind eye to fact that South Africans are the highest per capita alcohol users in Africa and amongst the highest in the world. If children as young as eight are using alcohol, and girls younger than 14 become pregnant, we must ask ourselves if we are doing enough.
In the substance abuse field, government, non-government organisations and civil society have come together over the years to bring meaningful change in some communities.
“We are however deeply aware of the lack of resources for those living with FASD, their families and the support needed by women in most communities where there are still no programmes and hardly any resources.”
The World Health Organisation estimates the global FASD prevalence rate to be about 15 per 1 000 live births (1,5%). In South Africa, research done by FARR in five of the nine provinces revealed rates as high as 282 per 1 000 live births in some communities in the Northern Cape. The Western Cape has areas with rates as high as 250 per 1 000 live births (25%).
“No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy,” Olivier once again emphasises.
“FASD causes permanent damage, but it is 100% preventable by not using alcohol when pregnant.”
