Alcohol damages 10,000 children every year

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy damages around 10,000 children every year. Thus, the fetal alcohol syndrome is the most common non-genetic disease in Germany. The Federal Drug Commissioner Mechthild Dychmanns therefore calls for a uniform screening program and new legal framework.

The fetal alcohol syndrome (FASD) is the most commonly non-genetic diagnosed disease of children in Germany. Recent evaluations indicate that around 10,000 children are affected each year, although the number of unreported cases is significantly higher. In purely statistical terms, these are twice as many diagnosed injuries in children than in Down's syndrome. In spite of a pregnancy, many women consume alcohol in considerable amounts, thereby severely damaging the development of the unborn child. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is by no means rare. Twelve to fifteen percent of expectant mothers consume alcohol at least once a month. The toxin attaches via the placenta directly into the bloodstream of the unborn child. Even small amounts are enough to harm the child sustainably and permanently.

Mechthild Dyckmans, Drug Commissioner of the black-yellow federal government, therefore calls for fundamentally new standardization in medical check-ups. This is to be achieved, the fetal alcohol syndrome early and more effective to recognize. In addition, the Drug Commissioner wants to encourage strong new guidelines for doctors. The President of the German Society for Social Pediatrics and Youth Medicine calls for one „clear agenda“ For this.

Early detection of FASD must be included in the provision
The provision for pregnant women must be extended to the early detection of FASD. Especially for this, however, a change in law is necessary, so Dyckmans. In addition, the expectant mothers should be offered a consistent and effective help before the babies are harmed. So the drug commissioner warned: "Alcohol must be taboo during pregnancy!" Because the damage and subsequent impairments, which carry the children of it, are massive. For example, children with a detected FASD, e.g. damage to growth, cognitive ability or hearing loss. Often there are also organic conditions such as a heart defect or brain damage. The children suffer in later years, especially under a reduced performance, a reduced intelligence, behavioral problems, learning and sleep disorders. Many of the described disabilities show up much later in adolescence or adulthood and can not be detected after the child is born. These include, for example, lack of concentration and a conspicuous social behavior. At school, the children fall mainly as „hyperactive“ and a bad learning behavior. Often, however, no reference can be made to alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Standardization of FASD diagnostics
New standardization of diagnostics should help to diagnose early. In addition, doctors should be trained by diagnostic standards so that symptoms and abnormalities can be better detected. At present, expertise in the medical profession is not yet widespread, according to Dyckmans. The standards are intended to help children at an early age. For this reason, the commissioner asked the medical societies to develop scientifically sound guidelines for Germany that are based on the latest state of research.

The President of the Society for Neuropediatrics, Prof. Dr. med. Florian Heinen currently sees no shortage of possibilities to carry out a differentiated diagnosis. However, a reorganization of procedures and resources can help to introduce standards in practices and clinics. Heinen pointed out that those affected suffer from the syndrome in later life. Those affected suffer socially from the disabilities. Targeted therapies could be initiated with new standards. Even small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy are considered to be harmful to health, since the alcohol can not be degraded relatively quickly, as in an adult body. The clear formula during pregnancy should be: Even the first glass is clearly too much! (sb, 14.12.2010)

Also read:
No alcohol during pregnancy
Pregnancy: abstinence from alcohol is required
If desired after children no alcohol
Late treatment of alcohol addiction

Image: Sonja Graves