Daunting new research out of the University of Helsinki claims that drinking alcohol, even during the early weeks of pregnancy, can cause irreversible damage to an unborn baby. The researchers claim that in the early stages of pregnancy, even before many women realize that they are pregnant, alcohol exposure can cause symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is an often brushed-over topic. Reports focus primarily on stunted growth and learning disabilities, but the reality of alcohol's impact on a baby can be much more encompassing and individualized -- affecting behavior, impulse control, learning, and numerous other areas. The research was done on mice, and the scientists say that this research supports earlier theories that drinking even during very early pregnancy can cause permanent damage to children.
Prevalence of #FASD in North Prompts New Bill http://t.co/NfGu6fZgZs #EveryCdnCounts pic.twitter.com/BdkUnZSY9o
— EveryCanadian Counts (@EveryCdnCounts) December 11, 2014
— EveryCanadian Counts (@EveryCdnCounts) December 11, 2014
This #Easter think about those with reduced future outlook #FASD pic.twitter.com/clUTa5mgmO
— SobAlert (@SobAlert) April 3, 2015
— SobAlert (@SobAlert) April 3, 2015
Shift your thinking about students with #FASD. pic.twitter.com/rdB0bdoLQa
— ONTSpecialNeeds (@ONTSpecialNeeds) May 4, 2015
— ONTSpecialNeeds (@ONTSpecialNeeds) May 4, 2015
Great explanation of primary v. secondary disabilities associated with #FASD. Thaks for the good work @CAMHnews! pic.twitter.com/BA2uXJFUvN
— TOPDD (@PreventDD) October 21, 2014
— TOPDD (@PreventDD) October 21, 2014
"The results support our assumption that alcohol permanently alters gene regulation at a very early stage. This would be significant for the challenging diagnostics of alcohol-induced damage. The mechanisms and biological markers which can aid in diagnosis are studied so that we can offer the developmental support necessitated by the damage as early as possible. Ideally, a swipe sample from inside the mouth of a newborn could reveal the extent of damage caused by early pregnancy alcohol exposure."
Is one drink worth the risk? Don't Risk FASD https://t.co/ssGXilz2nG pic.twitter.com/QJVYX7LxJA
— Jessica (@YourHealthyYear) February 21, 2015
— Jessica (@YourHealthyYear) February 21, 2015
@georgeinstitute research first comprehensive data on prevalence #FASD in remote communities http://t.co/WkkXsTNDci pic.twitter.com/AC1lkUBnwI — Lives Lived Well (@LivesLivedWell) January 17, 2015
Think before you drink. See our patient resource on preventing #FASD http://t.co/J3fQ3ScYqL #NoFASchat pic.twitter.com/fxlMKQ3aie
— ARHP (@ARHP_ORG) April 23, 2015
— ARHP (@ARHP_ORG) April 23, 2015
Project in #Yukon will see pregnancy test dispensers in college, bar washrooms. Tied to #FASD prevention. #cbcnorth pic.twitter.com/52dX291OoO — Philippe Morin (@YukonPhilippe) March 23, 2015
