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Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) prevention
Key points about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) refers to a range of preventable birth defects and disorders caused when a developing baby is exposed to alcohol before they are born.
- There's no safe time to drink alcohol in pregnancy and there's no safe amount to drink in pregnancy.
- Drinking alcohol when pregnant can change a baby's physical appearance and damage their brain.
- Incorrect information, fear of causing stress and social pressure to drink may be barriers to women being able to make well-informed choices around alcohol use during pregnancy.
- The content on this page comes from KidsHealth(external link).
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) refers to a range of preventable birth defects and disorders caused when a developing baby is exposed to alcohol before they are born.
If you're worried about the behaviour and learning of a child who was exposed to alcohol during pregnancy, talk to a health professional.
Don't drink while pregnant
There is no safe time to drink alcohol in pregnancy. There is no safe amount to drink in pregnancy.
Drinking can damage your baby
Drinking alcohol when pregnant can change a baby's physical appearance and damage the brain. There can also be brain damage without any obvious physical changes – this brain damage shows up as learning and behaviour problems that can cause lifelong difficulties. FASD is a lifelong disability.
Where to get help to stop drinking
If you're pregnant or planning to be pregnant and finding it difficult to stop drinking, talk to a health professional, lead maternity carer, or call the Alcohol Drug Helpline 0800 787 797.
FASD in New Zealand
Based on overseas studies and our drinking patterns, Aotearoa, New Zealand can expect up to 3,000 pēpi (babies) a year to be born with FASD.
Making informed choices
Barriers to pregnant people being able to make well-informed choices around alcohol use include:
- incorrect information
- fear of causing stress
- social pressure to drink.
What to do if you're worried about a child
If you're worried about the behaviour and learning of a child who was exposed to alcohol during pregnancy, talk to a healthcare provider.
Health Promotion Agency(external link)
The Health Promotion Agency's alcohol website has advice about not drinking alcohol when hapūtanga (pregnant). It also has resources for health professionals, research, campaign information, and links to further information and support.
FASD Care Action Network NZ(external link)
FASD-CAN is a New Zealand based, non-profit incorporated society made up of parents, caregivers, extended whānau and professionals. It aims to improve the lives of those living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
The FASD-CAN website(external link) has information about getting an FASD diagnosis In Aotearoa New Zealand.
The FASD-CAN website also has a section on caregiver and whānau support(external link)
The Fetal Alcohol Network New Zealand (FANNZ)(external link)
The Fetal Alcohol Network New Zealand (FANNZ) has further information on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. It also has contact details should you wish to talk to someone about any concerns.
Alcohol & Drug Helpline(external link)
If you're pregnant or planning to be pregnant and having trouble stopping drinking, call the Alcohol Drug Helpline on 0800 787 797. See the website for more information on how they can help and what it involves.
Local healthcare providers
Seek the help of a health professional or lead maternity carer if you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant and need some support to stop drinking.
Apps reviewed by Healthify
You may find it useful to look at some Alcohol use apps and Pregnancy, baby care and parenting apps.
Based on overseas studies and our drinking patterns, Aotearoa New Zealand can expect up to 3,000 babies a year to be born with FASD.
Making informed choices
Incorrect information, fear of causing stress and social pressure to drink may be barriers to pregnant people being able to make well-informed choices around alcohol use during pregnancy.
What to do if you're worried about a child
If you're worried about the behaviour and learning of a child who was exposed to alcohol during pregnancy, ask your healthcare provider for a referral to your nearest Child Health Service.
The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Care Action Network(external link) (FASD-CAN) provides support and education for whānau, individuals and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Information and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder(external link) Fetal Alcohol Network NZ
Alcohol and pregnancy(external link) Health Promotion Agency NZ
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder(external link) Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Apps
FASD – the basics for all professionals(external link) Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Care Action Network, NZ
FASD prevalence
There has never been a prevalence study for FASD in New Zealand so estimates are used. The Fetal Alcohol Network NZ has estimated the prevalence of FASD as more than 1 in 1001 (an estimated 1800–3,000 births annually)6. This would make FASD the most common “birth defect” in New Zealand. However, as the rates of FASD are only an estimate and considering the diagnosis is difficult to make, it may be more accurate to say that it is one of the most common causes of long-term disability.
International prevalence studies suggest FASD is conservatively estimated to occur in at least 1 out of every 100 live births and may be much higher in communities where binge and hazardous use of alcohol are prevalent. No research has confirmed the prevalence in New Zealand but it is thought the numbers could be substantially higher due to hazardous drinking patterns.1
- A systematic review published in 2016 reported that the worldwide rate of FASD was 113 per 1000, FAS 55 per 1000 and the neurodevelopmental delay was 20 per 1000.2
- A Taranaki study reported a rate of 28% drinking during pregnancy with 10% of these women drinking more than 2 units a day for 7 days per week.3
- Studies in Canada and US report an incidence of between 5 in 1000 to 15 per 1000 in aboriginal populations for the prevalence of FASD. This study reported that the rate of FASD is about 5 times that of FAS which is not entirely consistent with the systematic review but may be more appropriate to NZ. This is with a background of 10%–15% drinking alcohol in pregnancy.4
References
- Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder(external link) Foetal Alcohol Network, NZ
- Roozen, S., Peters, G..-J.Y., Kok, G., Townend, D., Nijhuis, J., Curfs, L. Worldwide Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Literature Review Including Meta-Analysis (2016)(external link) Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 40 (1), pp. 18-32.
- Ho R, Jacquemard R. Maternal alcohol use before and during pregnancy among women in Taranaki, New Zealand(external link) New Zealand Medical Journal, 2009;122(1306):20-32.
- Popova S, Lange S, Probst C, Parunashvil, N, Rehm J. Prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders among the general and Aboriginal populations in Canada and the United States(external link) Eur J of Med Genet. 2017;60(1):32-48
- Taking Action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: 2016-2019 - An action plan (external link) is New Zealand's national policy document. For more information and to download or order the action plan
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder(external link) Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Apps
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Credits: Content shared between HealthInfo Canterbury, KidsHealth and Healthify He Puna Waiora as part of a National Health Content Hub Collaborative.
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