In recognition of April, Alcohol Awareness Month, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) has introduced new educational guidelines, in English and Spanish, on the consequences of drinking alcohol during pregnancy. The Facts for Families on Drinking Alcohol in Pregnancy (Fetal Alcohol Effects) outlines symptoms of the disorder and warning signs of alcohol abuse.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Denise Espie, MBA, Communications Director
202.966.7300, Ext. 120
despie@aacap.org
Erin Baker, Communications Manager
202.966.7300, Ext. 119
ebaker@aacap.org
Pregnant Women Should Not Drink Any Alcohol
Washington, D.C., April 9, 2007 - In recognition of April, Alcohol Awareness Month, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) has introduced new educational guidelines, in English and Spanish, on the consequences of drinking alcohol during pregnancy. The Facts for Families on Drinking Alcohol in Pregnancy (Fetal Alcohol Effects) outlines symptoms of the disorder and warning signs of alcohol abuse.
Pregnant women should not drink any alcohol at any point during their pregnancy.
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a major cause of mental retardation and birth defects.* Fetal alcohol effects are present in more than one in 100 live births or as many as 40,000 infants each year. In addition to developmental delays, children born with fetal alcohol effects have a higher incidence of behavioral problems, including conduct disorder, depression, and attentional disorders.
"Pregnant women should not drink alcohol, period. This is a disorder that is wholly preventable and there is no justification for the risk." said AACAP President Thomas F. Anders, M.D. "The key to preventing fetal alcohol effects is increasing public understanding of how debilitating this condition is."
A child is diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) if the child was exposed to alcohol prenatally and has facial deformities, slow or delayed growth, or brain and neurological problems. Fetal alcohol syndrome should be diagnosed by an appropriately trained physician like a child and adolescent psychiatrist.
If a woman has trouble stopping drinking, she should seek the help of an health professional like her obstetrician. Likewise, family and friends of pregnant women are encouraged to convey the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
For more information on this subject and to view the entire AACAP Facts for Families series, view www.aacap.org.
To interview a child and adolescent psychiatrist about the life-long impact of drinking during pregnancy, please contact Erin Baker, Communications Manager, at 202-966- 7300, ext. 119 or ebaker@aacap.org.
*According to the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome's (NOFAS), Web site, www.nofas.org.
Representing over 7,500 child and adolescent psychiatrists nationwide, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children’s mental health. AACAP members actively research, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders affecting children, adolescents, and their families.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children’s mental health. AACAP members actively research, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders affecting children, adolescents, and their families.
Our Facts for Families, available free of charge on the AACAP website, provide concise and up-to-date information on a wide array of issues relating to children’s mental health. Written in a simple, straightforward manner, these 88 one-page fact sheets are valuable to anyone raising or working with children. In addition, the AACAP routinely refers the media to expert spokespeople on child and adolescent issues, and sponsors The Campaign for America’s Kids – an initiative designed to fund an Advocacy Institute for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, with the goal of mental health for all children.
AACAP Mission: The Mission of the AACAP is the promotion of mentally healthy children, adolescents and families through research, training, advocacy, prevention, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, peer support and collaboration.
