According to one study, up to 17% of children could experience symptoms of all fetal alcohol spectrum disorders



[ad_1]

According to a study, nearly 17% of UK children might exhibit the symptoms of a disorder related to alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

It is thought that Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is underdiagnosed, with only one specialized clinic in England. Chronic illness, caused by exposure to alcohol during pregnancy, affects learning and behavior and can lead to physical abnormalities.

Researchers from Bristol University and Cardiff University used information collected by pregnant women between 1991 and 1992.

They followed the development of 13,495 children from birth to 15 years old.

The UK has the fourth highest level of prenatal alcohol consumption in the world, but research is the first to estimate the number of people likely to suffer from FASD.

Dr. Cheryl McQuire, a researcher in epidemiology and the consequences of alcohol at the University of Bristol, led the research, which is published in the journal Preventive medecine.

"Our results showed that a significant number of children tested for features compatible with FASD," said Dr. McQuire. "The results are based on a screening tool, which is not the same as a formal diagnosis. Nevertheless, the high rates of prenatal alcohol consumption and FASD symptoms we found in our study suggest that FASD is likely to be an important audience. health problem in the UK.

"These results are important because, without British estimates of the prevalence of FASD, the level of awareness will remain low and children, adolescents and adults will continue to have difficulty finding a diagnosis and gaining support. they might need. "

Dr. McQuire stated that information on prenatal alcohol consumption may have been collected almost 30 years ago, but the numbers have remained largely unchanged.

In research, which uses data from the Children of the 90s study in Bristol, up to 79% of children were exposed to alcohol.

"Recent estimates suggest that three-quarters of women consume alcohol during pregnancy, a third of which is at excessive levels," said Dr. McQuire. This suggests that many individuals in our population today may also have symptoms of FASD. The most recent guidelines indicate that the safest solution is not to drink alcohol at all if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

"It's important for people to be aware of the risks so that they can make an informed decision about alcohol use during pregnancy."

The researchers developed a screening tool that was applied to the data.

Un dépistage positif de l'ETCAF était défini comme un problème lié à au moins trois domaines différents d'apprentissage ou de comportement, avec ou sans anomalies physiques.

Ces anomalies comprennent un retard de croissance et des traits faciaux distinctifs, tels qu'une lèvre supérieure fine et de petites ouvertures oculaires.

Jusqu'à 17% des participants à l'étude ont eu un dépistage positif des symptômes de l'ETCAF.

Le dépistage a eu lieu dans les écoles de certains pays, tels que les États-Unis, le Canada et l’Italie.

Les résultats de ces études ont conclu que 10% des enfants de la population en général sont affectés, avec des taux pouvant atteindre 30% pour ceux qui sont pris en charge, a déclaré le Dr McQuire.

Elle appelle à poursuivre les recherches pour clarifier la prévalence actuelle de l'ETCAF au Royaume-Uni.

"Ces enfants auront des difficultés qui persisteront tout au long de leur vie", a-t-elle ajouté. "Il existe des preuves suggérant que si ces personnes sont diagnostiquées tôt et si elles-mêmes et leur famille obtiennent un soutien approprié, elles peuvent obtenir de bien meilleurs résultats."

Selon les conseils des médecins en chef du Royaume-Uni, les femmes enceintes ou qui pensent l'être pourraient ne pas boire d'alcool pour réduire au minimum les risques pour le bébé.

Il indique que le risque de préjudice est susceptible d'être faible si les femmes n'en ont bu que de petites quantités avant de savoir qu'elles étaient enceintes ou pendant leur grossesse.

Les femmes qui ont consommé de l'alcool en début de grossesse devraient éviter de boire davantage, bien que les risques pour leur bébé soient probablement faibles.

Anyone who is concerned about alcohol use during pregnancy should talk to their doctor or midwife.


Support freethinking journalism and subscribe to Independent Minds

Dr Raja Mukherjee, who runs a diagnostic clinic for FASD at Surrey and Boarders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: "These are really important results that show there are likely to be many individuals with this disorder already out there who are being missed.

"There seems to be a disconnect between these findings and what many clinicians often report as a rare condition. It shows that it is a disorder that is seemingly hidden in plain sight that we need to pay attention to. Unless we start looking for it we will continue to miss it.

"If we fail to diagnose it then those affected individuals will continue to be affected by a lack of support and have subsequent impact on them and wider service. These results can be the first step in helping us in the UK to realise it is no longer a condition we can ignore."

Sandra Butcher, chief executive of NO-FAS UK, a charity to help those affected, said more support was needed "on every level".

"This study shines light on a staggeringly widespread and largely avoidable public health crisis," she said. "No policy maker who cares about the mental and physical health of the most vulnerable in our society should rest easy until we have in place UK-wide comprehensive action and training on FASD prevention, diagnosis and support that extends across the individual's lifespan.

"Babies with FASD grow into adults with FASD and more support is needed on every level."

The Children of the 90s study, also known as the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), is a long-term health research project.

It enrolled more than 14,000 pregnant women in 1991 and 1992 and has been following the health and development of the parents and their children ever since.

Clare Murphy, from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (bpas), said: "We advise real caution over the interpretation and communication of these findings.

"This study, as the authors themselves acknowledge, does not prove any causal link between pregnancy drinking and the developmental outcomes recorded, and may cause pregnant women and parents needless anxiety."

Press Association

[ad_2]
Source link