More Educational Programmes needed for Pregnant Women - Peacocke
North Down Councillor and Deputy Mayor Diana Peacocke has called for more educational programmes on the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Her comments follow the news that the number of children being diagnosed with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome has not changed dramatically over the last 10 years.
Councillor Peacocke said:
“I would call on the Government to introduce more educational programmes on the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. FAS can cause disfiguring facial abnormalities, small body weight, mental development delays and behavioural problems. Perhaps the Government should even consider asking drinks companies to carry warning labels on alcoholic beverages about the potential for damage to unborn children, in the same way that they already do in France and the US.
Councillor Peacocke continued:
“FAS is the biggest cause of non-genetic mental handicap in the western world and something which is 100pc preventable. Certainly, we do not want to panic any woman who is pregnant, but they should be made aware of the dangers. Despite Government guidelines that expectant mothers can drink one to two units (one or two glasses of wine) once or twice a week, there are consultants who feel that the only guaranteed safe way is not to drink at all when you are pregnant”.