International Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day is celebrated today and ER24 urges pregnant women to abstain from drinking alcohol.<\/p>\n
Explaining the syndrome, Willem Stassen, an ER24 critical care paramedic, said that foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the leading preventable cause of mental retardation.<\/p>
\u201cIt is a clinical syndrome that\u00a0occurs when the unborn baby is exposed to alcohol through maternal alcohol consumption.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis syndrome is characterised by distinct facial abnormalities and other defects in the heart, muscles, kidneys and eyes.<\/p>
\u201cOne study reports that the incidence of FAS in some South African populations may be as high as 12.2 per cent.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, the damage done in FAS is permanent and cannot be undone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) said that Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is 100 per cent preventable.<\/p>\n
The mother and baby are connected by the placenta and the umbilical cord.<\/p>\n
This means that the baby takes in almost everything that the mother consumes.<\/p>\n
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ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Get involved in your child\u2019s health<\/a><\/p>\n Healthy Friday: The colours of fruit and vegetables are the key to their health benefits<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Substances can build up in the baby\u2019s system and can cause permanent damage.<\/p>\n Stassen said that there is no safe level or period of alcohol intake during pregnancy as this is affected by the alcohol clearance rates, foetal sensitivity to alcohol, drinking patterns of the mother-to-be as well as genetics.<\/p>\n \u201cFor this reason, all international guidelines recommend that pregnant women completely abstain from all alcoholic beverages during the entire duration of pregnancy.<\/p>\n \u201cPregnant women should always attend prenatal check-ups at a registered healthcare provider,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n SANCA added that there are at least 500 000 South African\u2019s suffering from FAS.<\/p>\n South Africa with an incidence of eight to 12 per cent has the highest rate of FAS globally – De Aar having the highest prevalence of 12 per cent in the country.<\/p>\n Should you require any assistance with alcohol abuse, contact Alcoholics Anonymous on 0861 HELP AA (435-722).<\/p>\n For more information on FAS, visit www.fasfacts.org.za<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>, Leigh Hodgson (journalist)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or Puleng Sekabate (journalist)\u00a0pulengs@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n