Around 600 babies with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome are born in Ireland every year, according to medical experts
The worrying findings were revealed at the Irish Medical Organisation's annual AGM in Galway.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to the disorder which causes brain damage and developmental problems.
Ireland is one of the top five countries where pregnant mums consume alcohol while pregnant, according to The Irish Independent.
According to data collected by researchers, 80 per cent of Irish mums surveyed report consuming some alcohol during their first pregnancy.
"There is no safe amount of alcohol intake during pregnancy" #IMOAGM17
— Irish Medical Org (@IMO_IRL) April 21, 2017
Dr. Mary T. O’ Mahony is making a presentation on the subject of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome at the AGM today.She warned that FAS has severe consequences for babies affected.
“The consequences are induced brain damage which is permanent and is associated with physical, mental, educational, social and behavioural difficulties.”
She explained that the syndrome has serious repercussions for both the individual and society.
“Children with FASD fill our foster care places, adults with FAS fill our jails and many people are misdiagnosed”, Dr. O’ Mahony said.
She called for more supports to help women abstain from alcohol during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
"Most people know that drinking alcohol while pregnant can harm the baby, but lots of women still have questions about drinking during pregnancy. The long-term goal is to prevent Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder”, Dr. O’Mahony said.
In some cases the symptoms of FAS are immediately recognisable at birth, while other children will not be diagnosed until pre-school when they begin to show signs of developmental problems.
Recently, a study found women in the UK had the highest rates of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Researchers found pregnant women in Italy and UK drank most frequently during pregnancy (more than one to two units per week).
The researchers collected data from 7,000 pregnant women across Europe through the anonymous online survey. The survey was designed to allow the participants to remain anonymous to prevent underreporting.
The researchers reiterated the fact that there is no defined safe minimum amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy.
"We therefore recommend that all pregnant women should adhere to the guidelines for total alcohol abstinence during pregnancy," says Professor Hedvig Nordeng, from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, who was the principal investigator of the study in Norway.
