International charter on prevention of FASD.

• Author: Jonsson, Egon

The First International Conference on Prevention of FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) was held in Edmonton, Canada from September 23 to 25, 2013. The following Charter was endorsed and adopted by the delegates at the meeting, who included about 700 people from 35 countries around the world; senior government officials, scholars and policy makers, parents and families, and Indigenous Peoples. It is presented to all concerned in the international community, as a call for urgent actions to prevent FASD.

FASD

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is a serious health and social problem, as well as an educational and legal issue that affects individuals, families and societies worldwide. It is a condition caused by alcohol use during pregnancy. There is no known amount of alcohol that is safe for the growing fetus, which may develop extensive brain damage as well as physical abnormalities. While early intervention and supportive care can improve outcomes for those who live with this disability, FASD can have devastating implications for the individual, the family, and other care givers.

The cause and consequences of FASD have been known for forty years, yet it continues to afflict millions of people around the globe. It is estimated that at least one in every one hundred babies born will have to live with this permanent disability. In countries where drinking among women of childbearing age is more common, the prevalence of FASD may be significantly higher. It is a condition of overwhelming concern in some populations.

FASD is preventable. However, one major obstacle to effective prevention is lack of awareness of the existence of the disorder, and the risks associated with drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Opinion-based advice about how much of alcohol is needed to potentially harm the fetus, as well as conflicting messages from different studies, cause confusion and contribute to the failure to see the risks for FASD. Currently nobody can tell if there is any amount of alcohol that is safe during pregnancy.

Findings from basic research have clearly documented that even low to moderate consumption of alcohol can cross the placenta and interfere with the normal development of the embryo and fetus. Heavy or frequent consumption of alcohol in pregnancy increases the risk of delivering a baby with FASD. It has been well established that people living with FASD frequently face additional challenges as a consequence of their disability, such as breakdown in family relations, disruption of schooling, unemployment, homelessness, alcohol and drug abuse, and coming into conflict with...