No alcohol during pregnancy

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy and lactation has dire consequences

09/10/2013

Alcohol is a cytotoxin that quickly enters the bloodstream. Most of the drunk amount of alcohol is absorbed through the mucous membrane of the small intestine. But also via the stomach and to a lesser extent via the oral mucosa, the alcohol penetrates into the bloodstream. The Federal Center for Health Education therefore advises to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy. In the worst case, the damage is so severe that the affected child is dependent on help for a lifetime.

Physical malformations and damage to the central nervous system are considered serious injuries. In contrast to hereditary malformations, however, these are 100% preventable. There is no place for alcohol consumption during pregnancy, but even small amounts can harm the child. However, the more a pregnant woman drinks at a time, the more serious are the consequences. Chronic alcohol consumption of the mother causes antenatal growth disorders, brain damage and malformations. These children then have a low birth weight, and little subcutaneous fat.

In Germany, about 1-2% of alcohol-dependent women of childbearing age are assumed. Only about 20% of women do not drink alcohol at all during pregnancy.

A study by the University of Washington found that people with FASD aged 6 to 51 experience difficulties in the following areas:

94% have mental health problems.
23% were in inpatient care due to mental disorders.
83% can not live independently in adulthood.
79% of adults have employment problems.
60% of those affected 12 years old and over came into conflict with the law.
35% of adults and adolescents were detained for a crime.
45% show inappropriate sexual behavior.
43% have noticeable school biographies (eg being expelled from school).
24% of adolescents, 46% of adults and 35% have alcohol and drug problems.

In addition, facial malformations such as cleft palate and malformations of the internal organs, such as heart defects occur. A new study from England comes to similar results: The small glass in between is clearly at the expense of the child and his intelligence. This was also the result of a study by the universities of Bristol and Oxford, led by Sarah Lewis.

Intelligence test after eight years
For their study, the researchers surveyed over 4000 pregnant women after the 18th and 32nd week of pregnancy by means of a questionnaire about their drinking habits. The researchers were particularly interested in identifying the effect of low levels of alcohol. Women with high alcohol consumption were excluded from the study. At the age of eight, the children of these women were tested for their intelligence.

Children of drinking women less smart
"Our results indicate that even small amounts of alcohol, previously thought to be harmless, are reflected in children's intelligence," says Lewis. The researchers found four gene variants that clearly correlated with lower intelligence and were found only in children of women who had moderate alcohol consumption. (Ag)

Picture: JMG