Study Shows Significant Portion of Adopted Children in UK Suspected of Having Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
As discussed in a recent Guardian article, a survey conducted by Adoption UK finds that “17% of adopted children are suspected of having fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.” As many as one in four children adopted in the UK are believed to suffer from the disorder. In addition, 8 percent of adopted children, were diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
Children suffering from FASD often struggle with impulse control, behavioral problems, and learning difficulties. As reported in the Guardian article, “alcohol, drugs and domestic abuse are major reasons why children are placed into the care system.”
FASD Impact on Children
FASD can have a devastating impact on a child. From learning disabilities to poor memory, speech, and language delays to difficulty in school, FASD can affect nearly every aspect of a child’s development.
As noted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no safe level of alcohol that can be consumed during pregnancy. Unfortunately, many women may consume alcohol in the early weeks of pregnancy not realizing that they are in fact pregnant. Even early in pregnancy, alcohol can affect the unborn child.
It is recommended that whether you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, you abstain from alcohol consumption. If you are unable to stop drinking, you should seek treatment immediately. As stated by the CDC, it is never too late to stop drinking.
Read the full Guardian article, “A quarter of adopted UK children affected by drinking during pregnancy.”