All babies should undergo a test to find out if their mother drank alcohol during pregnancy, a neonatal expert told the Joint Committee on Health and Children.
Adrienne Foran described foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) as the “elephant in the room”, because Irish people were uncomfortable tackling alcohol abuse.
FAS refers to a number of birth defects caused by a mother’s alcohol abuse during pregnancy.
The level of alcohol that causes FAS is unknown, although binge drinking is particularly harmful.
Dr Foran, a consultant neonatologist, said there was no data on the number of babies exposed to alcohol during pregnancy.
However, a baby’s first bowel movement can reveal if their mother drank alcohol during pregnancy and if the child will suffer intelligence problems in later life.
Source: Evelyn Ring, Irish Examiner, 25/09/15
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