Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day
Gov. Doyle designates Sept. 9 as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day
MADISON -- Gov. Jim Doyle has designated Friday, Sept. 9 as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day to highlight the importance of raising awareness about the consequences of drinking during pregnancy. The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Family Medicine is participating in the awareness campaign.
Media are invited to attend a ceremony recognizing Gov. Doyle's proclamation on Friday, Sept. 9 from 8:45 - 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn-Madison East, 3841 East Washington Ave. A number of state leaders will be in attendance. This awareness day is a partnership between the University of Wisconsin's Department of Family Medicine, the Family Empowerment Network, and the Department of Health and Family Services
The goal of FASD Awareness Day is to promote awareness of the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure to alcohol; increase compassion for individuals and families affected; gain momentum to ensure that women with alcohol concerns have a point of contact within their own community for support; and increase awareness about services available for children and families.
Drinking during pregnancy can cause permanent harm to a developing baby. In Wisconsin, more than 66 percent of women of childbearing age drink alcohol, and more than 25 percent report frequent alcohol consumption. In addition, a recent study showed that nearly 25 percent of women screened positive for at-risk drinking.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of physical, cognitive, and behavioral effects caused by alcohol use during pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is one of the most recognizable conditions under this umbrella.
FAS is a pattern of abnormalities seen in some children exposed to significant amounts of alcohol during pregnancy and is characterized by small size, central nervous system effects, and specific facial malformations. Other conditions include alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder, and alcohol-related birth defects. An estimated 60 to 80 children are born in Wisconsin each year with FAS, and 120 - 200 babies are born with other alcohol-related conditions.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are preventable. If a woman does not drink alcohol during her pregnancy, her child will not be born with FASD. There is no known safe amount of alcohol to use during pregnancy. There is no known safe time to drink during pregnancy. However, it is never too late to stop drinking during pregnancy.
For more information, contact Kristi Obmascher at the Healthy Choices Project in UW-Madison's Department of Family Medicine, (608) 261-1418 or healthy.choices@fammed.wisc.edu.