What are the consequences of alcohol on the fetus?

The recommendation of “Zero alcohol during pregnancy” has made its way in recent years. If most French people know this recommendation well, many of them are not fully aware of the risks. Indeed, when the pregnant woman drinks a glass of wine or a spirits, Alcohol passes into the blood of the future baby And it can have serious consequences on the health of the fetus. In addition, alcohol consumption during pregnancy remains the first cause of non -genetic mental disability and social maladjustment in France, according to Public Health France.

What is fetal alcoholism syndrome?

THE Fetal alcohol syndrome (SAF) is an illness that affects the unborn child and which is caused by excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Generally, it is visible from the birth of the baby and the more the daily consumption of alcohol is important, the more the child risks having consequences. Some attacks are noticed during pregnancy through certain medical examinations and others will reveal later. To remember: 15,000 children are born each year in France with disorders caused by fetal alcoholism (TCAF).

What are the risks of alcohol during pregnancy?

Whatever the stage of pregnancy, alcohol can be responsible for various pregnancy complications, including a risk of premature birthand in some cases, a miscarriageindicates the SAF France association. Daily alcohol consumption, even low, has several Risks for the development of the fetus,, Both physical, cognitive and behavioral level.

What are the consequences of alcohol on the fetus?

By having drunk alcohol being pregnant, the consequences on the fetus can be extremely heavy, “whose fetal alcoholism syndrome is the most serious form”, Recalls Public Health France. Alcohol being toxic to the nervous system and the fetus brainthis can lead to the baby:

• Growth retardation
• Organ malformations
• Facial anomalies
• Nervous system damage
• Visual and auditory deficit
• Food disorders

Without forgetting other consequences that are revealed later, such as “THE learning or memory disordersresponsible for academic difficulties, cognitive disorders and behavior “, specifies a report by the Academy of Medicine. Brain attacks, because yes this organ is sensitive to alcohol, are often revealed at the time of school learning.

When does the consequences on the baby appear?

“”In most cases, disorders are not visible on the baby who has just been born, but appear later, when entering the crèche or at the schoolsometimes even later, when the brain becomes more mature, around 6-8 years old and in adulthood, when the brain becomes more mature “, specifies Denis Lamblin, president of the SAF France association in Whydocateur. Thus, between 5 to 14 years old, children have a greater risk of attention disturbances And may encounter a social break and difficulties in organizing or learning. The disorders caused by fetal alcoholism would have Repercussions even until adolescencewith psychological effects and an increased risk of alcoholism or drug addiction.

Alcohol Info Service: the useful number to get help

To get help, you can first talk about it with your doctor, gynecologist or midwife who follows you. You also have the possibility of reaching the “Alcohol Info Service” device At 0 980 980 930. This issue allows people concerned to discuss freely and 7 days a week with a professional capable of guiding them, listening to them and answering their questions. As a reminder, a sanitary message has necessarily been affixed since 2006 on alcoholic beverages, or by a Pictogram or by the message “pregnancy = zero alcohol”.