Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy
One of the most dramatic aspects of alcohol abuse is its consumption by pregnant women since alcohol freely crosses placenta and reaches developing embryo or foetus. Embryogenesis and foetal development is susceptible to exposure to toxic agents and alcohol is among the most teratogenic ones. Depending on the timing of drinking alcohol, the organs that are developing at that moment will be affected. Heavy drinking during pregnancy may cause in newborns Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which comprises the most severe consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure. However, children with FAS are only a small proportion of the total number of children who suffer from the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. The foetus may be affected by even moderate use of alcohol, depending on the amount, frequency and timing of the mother’s drinking and, in this scenario the brain is the most vulnerable developing organ to ethanol-induced damage. Many children who have been exposed to alcohol during the prenatal period, even though they do not show obvious physical signs, they may show cognitive, motor and behaviour dysfunctions. Nowadays, Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the term used to define the full range of prenatal alcohol damage varying from mild to severe. The inclusion of a wider terminology dramatically increases the impact of alcohol on public health. Although FASD can be prevented by avoiding alcohol consumption, given the increased incidence of FASD, this film has an …
Minimum alcohol pricing poses problems
Filed under: alcohol abuse
“Aside from its doubtful legality, minimum unit pricing is a regressive measure, which will fall on lower income households whilst failing to address the UK's cultural drivers of alcohol abuse,” says Kristin Wolfe, SABMiller's head of alcohol policy.
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OHSU-led Consortium Wins Million Grant to Study Alcoholism, Stress
Filed under: alcohol abuse
March 8, 2012 — The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has funded a five-year, $ 21 million Integrative Neuroscience Initiative on Alcoholism grant to support a multi-site consortium led by an Oregon Health & Science University …
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