Media Release

HEALTH EXPERTS MOVE TO DISPEL CONFUSION OVER DRINKING WHILE PREGNANT

23 December 2010: Leading Australian health experts say not drinking alcohol during pregnancy remains the safest option for women, following the release of research suggesting light drinking may not cause harm to a developing baby.

The National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Related Disorders (NOFASARD), the Alcohol Education & Rehabilitation Foundation (AER Foundation), the FASD Scientific Network from the University of Queensland (FASDSN) and the Russell Family Fetal Alcohol Disorders Association (RFFADA) have joined together to reaffirm the evidence-based advice about drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

Leaders from the organisations said that there is no known safe level of alcohol consumption for women while pregnant. Overwhelming evidence from more than 30 years of research indicates that alcohol can be harmful to the developing fetus throughout the entire pregnancy.

Studies from around the world have also shown that women who drink heavily while pregnant risk giving birth to children with a number of abnormalities including behavioural problems, birth defects, problems with growth development and learning difficulties. This range of disorders is known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

NOFASARD Spokesperson Sue Miers said: “FASD is the leading cause of preventable disability in childhood. The Australian National Council of Drugs’ research reveals that 450,000 children live in households where there is at least one adult who regularly binge drinks, so it can be argued that FASD is a hidden epidemic in Australia.”

AER Foundation Deputy Chairman, Scott Wilson, added: “There is still no consensus on a safe level of drinking while pregnant. There are mixed messages out there, making it difficult for women to know what to do. The advice from medical experts and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Guidelines is that not drinking alcohol is the safest option for a developing baby.”

While recent research from the UK¹ and Australia² has suggested that ‘light drinking’ during pregnancy was found not to have detrimental effects on the unborn child, FASDSN Adjunct Researcher Dr Janet Hammill said there may have been other factors at play.

“It is highly unlikely that light drinking alone led to a decreased chance of children developing behavioural problems. In the British study, other benefits such as diets, healthier lifestyles and the respondents’ level of education may have also been contributing factors,” Dr Hammill said.

If you have questions or concerns about alcohol and pregnancy, contact the RFFADA Help Line on 1800rffada.

Citations:

¹Light drinking during pregnancy: still no increased risk for socio-emotional difficulties or cognitive deficits at 5 years of age? Kelly YJ, Sacker A, Gray R, et al. J Epidemiol Community Health (2010).

²Low–moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and risk to child behavioural development: a prospective cohort study. Robinson M, Oddy W, McLean N, Jacoby P, Pennell C, de Klerk N, Zubrick S, Stanley F, Newnham J. Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, Perth, Australia.

Media: Camille Alarcon - P: 02 9492 1042, M: 0488 176 188, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Alcohol Education & Rehabilitation Foundation (AER): The Alcohol Education & Rehabilitation Foundation (AER Foundation) is a unique, independent, not-for-profit organisation with a goal to change the way we drink. The AER Foundation collaborates with grass-roots community organisations, all levels of government, police, researchers and the private sector to turn evidence-based research on alcohol and inhalant misuse into practical, real-life solutions. Since its inception in 2001, the AER Foundation has invested over $115 million in prevention, public education, workforce development, and treatment & rehabilitation projects, underpinned by innovative research. Our dedication to creating a safer and healthier Australia sees the AER Foundation forming new partnerships and alliances with like-minded organisations, with a focus on youth and Indigenous issues. Looking forward, the AER Foundation will continue its unwavering commitment to changing Australia’s drinking culture to one of safety and responsibility. For further information: www.aerf.com.au

The Russell Family Fetal Alcohol Disorders Association (rffada) was established in 2007 and is a health promotion charity dedicated to raising awareness of FASD through the provision of various services including training and education and other supports for parents and carers and people with FASD. The rffada is particularly committed to birth parents, believing that while FASD appears to be 100% preventable, there is always a reason that alcohol is consumed during pregnancy and that all situations must be viewed using a ‘No Blame No Shame’ ethos. The rffada has also been integral in developing and delivering the first publicly available training modules on FASD in Australia. For further information: www.rffada.org

NOFASARD was established in 1998 when Sue Miers could not find support in Australia for her adopted daughter who has since been diagnosed overseas with partial FAS. NOFASARD is the peak body for FASD in Australia and Sue is the National Spokesperson. Sue has attended national and international conferences and is asked to speak on FASD on a regular basis.

The FASD Scientific Research Network was formed in late 2009 by a group of multidisciplinary researchers to study the effects of alcohol exposure prenatally. Initially comprising twenty five high level investigators, seven of whom are Indigenous, their task is to identify alcohol-related developmental deficits and any possible ameliorating effects. Their responsibility is then to translate and share this knowledge with other scientists, health professionals, policy makers, community members and fieldworkers to better assist community-based prevention and therapeutic interventions. The collective includes expertise in primary health care, chronic diseases, nutrition, genetics, child and adolescent psychiatry, neuroscience, brain imaging, legal advocacy, human ethics, education and developmental biology.

Elizabeth (Anne) Russell

RUSSELL FAMILY FETAL ALCOHOL DISORDERS ASSOCIATION (RFFADA)

working in conjunction with

TRAINING CONNECTIONS AUSTRALIA (TCA)

to deliver training and other services on

FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS

PO Box 6795, Cairns Qld 4870.

277 Mulgrave Road

Mobile 0412 550 540

www.rffada.org

www.trainingca.org.au

FASD HELPLINE 1800rffada