FATHER’S DRINKING: Also responsible for fetal disorders?

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME (FAS) 

From SANCA: Can you hear me now? Fetal Alcohol Syndrome  Prevention Programme

FATHER’S DRINKING: Also responsible for fetal disorders?

Alcohol consumption affects genes in sperm which are responsible for normal fetal development.

Maternal exposure to alcohol in utero is a known risk and cause of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. FAS children suffer significant problems such as retarded intellect, stunted growth and nervous system abnormalities, social problems and isolation. Until now fathers have not had a causal link to such disabilities. Ground breaking new research has been revealed which shows dads may have more accountability. Published in Animal Cells and Systems, researchers studied male mice exposed to varying concentrations of alcohol and one control group exposed only to saline. After exposure the mice were mated and resulting fetuses examined. The findings revealed previously unknown and riveting evidence that paternal alcohol consumption can directly affect the fetal development.

A number of fetuses sired by males exposed to alcohol suffer abnormal organ development and or brain development. Those in the saline group were normal. So, can developmental abnormalities be predetermined at fertilization? This research proves so. The authors believe alcohol consumption affects genes in sperms which are responsible for normal fetal development.

Until now fathers’ lifestyle choices have not seen any repercussion on their unborn children. This ground-breaking research provides the first definitive evidence that fathers’ drinking habits pre-conception can cause significant fetal abnormalities.

 

Here are some of the questions often asked about FAS

How much alcohol will harm the unborn baby? Researchers has not yet identified a safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The safest choice is not to drink at all when pregnant or trying to become pregnant. It’s something good you can do for your baby.

Is a beer safer than a shot of liquor?  A beer, a glass of wine, a wine cooler, a mixed drink and a shot of liquor all contains the same amount of alcohol. They are equally dangerous to your baby.

What if I drink when I don't know that I am pregnant? As soon as you suspect you might be pregnant, stop drinking alcohol immediately. Your chances of having a healthy baby are greatly increased when you stop drinking.

Is there ever a safe time to drink during pregnancy? No. Alcohol crosses from the mother’s blood to the baby’s blood, so any time a pregnant mothers drinks, her unborn baby drinks, too. Alcohol is dangerous to the developing baby throughout pregnancy.

Please share your ideas on the FAS topic with us.