News Release                          For Immediate Release

                                                                                                               September 21, 2006.

Alcohol During Pregnancy Affecting Grey Bruce Children

September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month

A Public Health survey shows that 92% of Grey Bruce women in their childbearing years consume alcohol. With Health Canada estimating that at least 50% of all pregnancies are unplanned, the consequences for many of these babies exposed to alcohol in the womb will be serious and lifelong. A local research study conducted in 2005 revealed that 4.1% of newborns in Grey Bruce were exposed to high amounts of alcohol while in the womb. The research focused on 1,076 women in the later stages of pregnancy.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) describes a range of effects that can occur when a baby is exposed to alcohol before birth. Alcohol readily passes through the placenta to the baby when a pregnant woman drinks. The effects may result in permanent physical, mental, behavioural, and/or learning disabilities. Children born with FASD are at a greater risk for school drop out, juvenile delinquency, alcohol or drug addiction, trouble with the law, poverty and homelessness. Research indicates the effects of FASD to children between the ages of one and twenty-one will cost Canadian taxpayers about

$344.2 million annually.

“This is such a serious issue for our region but also a difficult one, on a personal level, for many mothers who worry about the effects of alcohol they drank early in their pregnancy,” says Public Health Nurse Shelby Schmidt.  “We cannot go back in time, but the best way to eliminate FASD in the future is to plan every pregnancy, abstain from alcohol while trying to conceive and to remain alcohol-free while pregnant.”

In 1999, a group of parents with children affected by FASD set out to increase public awareness about maternal drinking during pregnancy. A worldwide campaign was developed emphasizing that no alcohol should be consumed during pregnancy. On Sept 9, many individuals pause at the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth month to reflect on this important issue. 

Licensed restaurants throughout Grey and Bruce are helping to raise awareness with staff wearing and distributing FASD pins and bracelets, providing information to customers, and by displaying posters. Many restaurants also offer free non-alcoholic beverages to expectant mothers. 

For further information on FASD, call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or visit our web site at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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For more information:

Shelby Schmidt, RN, BScN

Public Health Nurse

Family Health Program

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9429 ext. 421