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Sunday, June 17, 2012

FASD News - 24/2012


The West Australian (Australia) - No alcohol for pregnant women: campaign
A new West Australian campaign is urging pregnant women to say no to alcohol. The campaign, the first of its kind in Australia, is aimed at women of child-bearing age who consume low to moderate amounts of alcohol.
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Herald.ie (Ireland) - Mayor wants to test babies in poor areas for alcohol
DUBLIN’S mayor wants children to be tested for their mum’s alcohol use during pregnancy. The call by Lord Mayor Andrew Montague sparked anger among campaigners. In a suprise move, Mr Montague wants to screen children in disadavantaged areas for foetal alcohol syndrome.
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WBNG-TV (USA) - Drug Use During Pregnancy On The Rise
Town of Dickinson, N.Y. (WBNG Binghamton) An increasing number of drug dependent mothers are showing up at area hospitals. This is according to the Mothers and Babies Perinatal Network.
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Eurekalert - New open-access journal fills niche for addictions research
A new open-access journal dedicated to international perspectives on substance use and addictions research was launched at the annual meeting of the Kettil Bruun Society for Social and Epidemiological Research on Alcohol.
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SFU - FASD youth ill-equipped for legal system – grad
In Canadian criminal law, a suspect’s confession to police almost always ensures the Crown will file charges, charge “high” and make the confession central to its case.
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Education Weekly (New Zealand) - FASD: “It is an invisible disability,” says mother
Lisa Smith’s adopted son Aaron has Foetal Alcohol Syndrome. But the fact the New Zealand government barely recognises his disability makes it very difficult for families and schools to know how to manage children affected by this type of brain damage.
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RESOURCES
Do2Learn – A resource for individuals with special needs
Do2learn provides thousands pages of social skills and behavioral regulation activities and guidance, learning songs and games, communication cards, academic material, and transition guides for employment and life skills.
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Brightening Connections - 3 Tips To Put Your FASD Child’s “Fight” Response To Calm
Is your child hyper-vigilant and inflexible to change? As guest expert for MOFAS’ Virtual Family Center on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, I gave parents of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) three ideas for calming distress.
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MediciNet - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Glossary of Terms
Abnormal: Not normal. Deviating from the usual structure, position, condition, or behavior. In referring to a growth, abnormal may mean that it is cancerous or premalignant (likely to become cancer).
RESEARCH
AOGS - Alcohol prevention in Swedish antenatal care: effectiveness and perceptions of the Risk Drinking project counseling model
An expanded counseling model implemented in Swedish antenatal care did not reduce the proportion of women who continued drinking during pregnancy in comparison with a previous counseling model, although the advice provided in the new model was perceived more favorably.
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Journal of Population Therapeutics - The History of Alcoholic Fetopathies
During this time he noted the effects of parental alcoholism on offspring outcome. Here we publish his personal account of researching the cause of a strange dystrophy around the 1960's with certain children and alcoholism in their mothers.
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Journal of Population Therapeutics - The First Description of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome by French Pediatrician Paul Lemoine
Dr. Lemoine’s account demonstrates how much knowledge about the toxic fetal effects of alcohol was published and known in Europe in the early 1900’s, half a century before it became public knowledge and a public health issue.
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Alcohol - Prenatal ethanol exposure leads to greater ethanol-induced appetitive reinforcement
Prenatal ethanol significantly heightens later alcohol consumption, but the mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon are poorly understood. Little is known about the basis of ‘this effect of prenatal ethanol on the sensitivity to ethanol’s reinforcing effects. One possibility is that prenatal ethanol exposure makes subjects more sensitive to the appetitive effects of ethanol or less sensitive to ethanol’s aversive consequences.
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Monday, June 11, 2012

Alcohol News - 24/2012


UPI.com (Sweden) – Pot growing up, moonshine down in Sweden
Stockholm police said they have noticed a spike in the popularity of home-based marijuana farming while alcohol bootlegging has decreased.
The Foreigner (Norway) - Half of adults drink in front of children
50 percent of adults drink in front of children each day despite three out of four believing it wrong to do so, according to a survey.
NPR (Tunisia) - Once Tolerated, Alcohol Now Creates Rift In Tunisia
The other night we stopped at a Tunisian hotel, a clean and modest place with features that reminded me of an old Holiday Inn where my family stayed as a kid. At first it seemed the main difference was that, being in Tunisia, the hotel was next door to the ancient ruins of a magnificent Roman temple.
New York Daily News - Alcohol abuse could be a red flag for sexual confusion among college students
Alcohol abuse could be a red flag for sexual confusion among college students, suggests a new study correlating drinking problems with sexual orientation.
Fox News - Even moderate drinking may disrupt sleep
One drawback of moderate drinking could be that it keeps you up at night, a new study suggests. When college students in the study drank relatively low doses of alcohol, they got less sleep than they did on nights when they didn't drink at all, the researchers said.
TheHeart.Org - Alcohol may trigger AF episodes
Results of a new study suggest that patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) should avoid consuming alcohol to reduce the risk of AF episodes, but the exact link between alcohol and arrhythmias is still poorly understood.
BusinessWeek (Russia) - Russia May Ban Alcohol Advertising on Internet, Vedomosti Says
Russia may prohibit the advertising of alcoholic drinks on the Internet, Vedomosti reported, citing Igor Rudensky, the chairman of a state duma committee.
CBC.ca (Canada) - Defining alcohol abuse sparks debate
Removing alcohol abuse from psychiatry's diagnostic bible is drawing fire. Proposed changes for the DSM-5 include merging alcohol dependence and abuse categories into a single diagnosis: substance abuse disorder.
decanter.com (UK) - Health lobby wants alcohol sponsorship ban
A powerful alliance of health professionals wants a French-style ban on alcoholic drinks advertising on television and at sports events in the UK.
Science Daily - Statistical Model Attempting to Estimate Level of Alcohol Consumption That Is 'Optimal' for Health
Cutting the amount we drink to just over half a unit a day could save 4,600 lives a year in England, according to a modelling study by Oxford University researchers published in the journal BMJ Open.
The Copenhagen Post (Denmark) - FC Copenhagen and Carlsberg accused of promoting alcohol to kids
Alcohol watchdog Alkohol & Samfund is accusing FC Copenhagen, one of Danish professional sport's most visible teams, of promoting alcohol to children at schools and on the internet by organising a programme in which players visit schools in Greater Copenhagen to meet children, sign autographs and have their pictures taken with them.
News-Medical.net - Drinking alcohol linked to skin disorder
Regularly drinking alcohol, particularly in higher quantities, appears to increase the risk for developing psoriasis, the results of a Chinese study suggest.
ABC Online (Australia) - Health service cites widespread grog-related harm
The WA Country Health Service says the rates of hospitalisation for alcohol-related conditions are significantly higher in the Goldfields than in other parts of the state.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Alcohol News - 23/2012


The Baltic Course (Estonia) - Estonian government hopes to earn 130 mln euros by raising the alcohol excise tax
The finance ministry draft law that was sent to other ministries for approval recently and that aims to increase alcohol excise tax in Estonia by 5% a year in 2013–2016 should result in a 130 million euros extra gain for the state budget, LETA/Public Broadcasting reports.
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The Baltic Course (Estonia) - Estonian police increases control of drunk drivers
The Estonian police announced on Monday that starting today till the Midsummer's Day, it would hold frequent police operations to test the sobriety of drivers and calls for straightforward condemnation of drunk driving, LETA/Public Broadcasting reports.
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The Scientific World Journal (Lithuania) - Trends and Social Differences in Alcohol Consumption during the Postcommunist Transition in Lithuania
The aim of the study was to evaluate the trends and social differences in consumption of various types of alcoholic beverages in Lithuania over the postcommunist transition period (1994–2010).
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ABC News - Alcohol Consumption Boosts Breast Cancer Risk
A new study by the National Cancer Institute of 1,900 post-menopausal women found that consuming seven to 14 alcoholic drinks per week — in other words, one or two a day — carries a 30 percent to 60 percent increase in breast cancer risk.
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The Guardian (UK) - Cut alcohol intake to just a quarter pint of beer a day, experts advise
People should drink just a half unit of alcohol daily in order to cut the number of deaths from cancer, liver disease and other conditions linked to drinking, health experts are urging.
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Science Daily - Alcohol May Trigger Serious Palpitations in Heart Patients
The term "holiday heart syndrome" was coined in a 1978 study to describe patients with atrial fibrillation who experienced a common and potentially dangerous form of heart palpitation after excessive drinking, which can be common during the winter holiday season.
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Ninemsn - Alcohol energy drinks spark concern
The parents of a Melbourne schoolgirl who died suddenly after consuming alcoholic energy drinks at a party want answers.
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TVNZ (New Zealand) - Alcohol reform bill 'pragmatic and sensible'
The Justice Minister wants the age of people who can buy alcohol from a bottle store to be raised to 20. Judith Collins has told TV ONE's Q and A programme that she favours a split which would mean 18-year-olds could still legally drink at their local.
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OCRegister (USA) - California cuts some alcohol taxes 94%
Alcoholic beverage taxes on flavored malt beverages, such as hard lemonade and flavored wines, has been cut to 20 cents a gallon from $3.30 because of a recent state appeals court ruling.
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The Age (Australia) - Alcohol a bigger problem than drugs for young
THE Children's Court has sounded the alarm about the intensity of underage drinking in the community, saying that alcohol consumption - rather than drug use - is the ''big catalyst'' for youth offending in the state.
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Counsel & Heal (EU/USA) - American Teens Are Less Likely than European Teens to Use Cigarettes and Alcohol
The U.S. had the second-lowest proportion of students who used tobacco and alcohol compared to their counterparts in 36 European countries, a new report indicates.
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BBC News (UK) - David Nutt suggests alcohol sensors 'in every car'
Alcohol sensors should be in every car to cut drink-related road deaths and injuries, says the government's former chief drugs adviser.
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Times of Malta (Malta) - Alcohol remains Malta's top problem, survey of drug, cigarette and alcohol abuse shows
Drug, alcohol and cigarette consumption among 16-year-olds in Malta has declined, but alcohol consumption, in particular, remains a problem, according to a survey of 36 countries.
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Irish Times (Ireland) - Irish teens drink more but less often than average
IRISH SECONDARY school students drink alcohol less often than their European peers but consume more when they drink, according to a European survey published yesterday.
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Czech Happenings (Czech Republic) - Young Czechs lead alcohol consumption standings in Europe – study
The alcohol consumption of 16-year-old Czechs is the highest in Europe, according to the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Drugs (ESPAD) from 2011 focused on the use of addictive substances among 16-year-old Europeans, released these days.
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Counsel & Heal (UK) - Hospital Admissions Due to Alcohol on a Rise in England
More and more number of people are taken to hospital for alcohol related ailments each year with a steep increase of 10 percent in the total number of alcohol consumers every year in England.
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Ottawa Citizen (Canada) - The invisible victims of alcohol abuse
Children of alcoholics are often plagued by their own demons, suffering from addiction problems and anger issues and leading dysfunctional lives.
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EurActiv (EU) - Parliament steps up pressure on food, beverage ads
The European Parliament has renewed calls to curb food and beverage advertising aimed at children and young people, with some MEPs even calling for a total ban on beer commercials aimed at youth. But it's not necessary, says the industry, "We can regulate ourselves".
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Medical Xpress (EU) - Binge drinking drops, drug use levels off in Europe: report
European teens cut back on binge drinking and showed no increase in illegal drug use in recent years, while cigarettes remained as popular as in 2007, an EU agency said Thursday.
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Scotsman (Scotland) - Road safety charity suggests reduced sanctions for drink-drivers
BANS and fines imposed on anyone caught drink-driving should be reduced if the Government lowers the legal alcohol limit, a road safety charity has suggested.
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Daily Mail (UK) - Booze cruise is back: Weak euro leads to rush across the Channel to stock up on cheap alcohol
A three-year high for the pound against the euro has seen British bargain hunters return in droves to the booze cruise.
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Voxy (Australia) - Alcohol harm drives Maori Party to propose Bill changes
The Maori Party is proposing significant amendments to address alcohol related harm by making changes to the Alcohol Reform Bill including the restrictions around proximity of liquor stores to schools and tightening up the criteria around trading hours.
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News Wales (Wales) - Wales drive to combat killer alcohol
Each year 1000 deaths in Wales are due to alcohol and over 40 per cent of the Welsh population report drinking above the current health guidelines.
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Forbes (Russia) - Russian Vodka Prices Set to Increase by 30% in July
Starting in July 2012, the minimum price of vodka could go up to 125 rubles  ($3.90) for a half liter from the current level of 98 rubles  ($3.06). This increase is stipulated in a draft order by Rosalkagolregulirovania (RAR) which the department is planning to publish later this week a source from within RAR told Vedomosti.
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Sunday, June 3, 2012

FASD News - 22/2012


NEWS and ARTICLES
Winnipeg Free Press (Canada) - Province to double FASD clinic space
The province will double the capacity of a successful Winnipeg fetal alcohol spectrum disorder support program, while boosting efforts to diagnose the condition in rural and northern communities.
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Montreal Gazette (Canada) - Video game helps students with fetal alcohol disorder
Playing video games isn't often seen as the healthiest pastime for young people, but a new educational game is helping re-train the brains of students with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a University of Alberta professor says.
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The Oxford Times (UK) - Avoid alcohol and keep babies safe
A MOTHER who says her adopted daughter is ‘living proof of the dangers of drinking’ has appealed for people to take a few booze-free days to help boost her charity’s coffers.
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Newswise (USA) - New Report Shows More Than One in Five Pregnant White Women Smoke Cigarettes
A new report shows that 21.8 percent of pregnant White women aged 15 to 44 currently (within the past 30 days) smoked cigarettes.
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HealthCanal.com (Australia) - Alcohol's impact on babies - UN looks at Australian experience
An Australian film depicting the life of a young boy exposed to alcohol during his mother's pregnancy was shown at the United Nations headquarters in New York yesterday.
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Alexandria Times (USA) - NOFAS MATERNITY FASHION SHOW RAISES AWARENESS OF FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME
The women walking the runway at the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome’s weekend fundraiser at a private residence on the Potomac were doing more than trotting out the latest fashions; they were showcasing healthy pregnancies.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: One Woman’s Story
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Read about one woman's experience with FASDs. Information about new tools and resources you can use is also provided.
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FARE (Australia) - LIES EXPOSED AS INDUSTRY FRONTS FASD INQUIRY
A detailed analysis of the alcohol industry’s submissions to a Parliamentary Inquiry has exposed a raft of false, misleading and unfounded claims.
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MATERIALS
Indian Country Today Media Network.com (USA) - New Parenting Curriculum Supports Native Families with FASD
The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC) has released a new parenting curriculum focused on supporting American Indian families where fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is suspected. Gifts from the Sacred Circle: A Native Traditional Parenting Curriculum for Families Affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is now available through Hazelden Publishing.
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ARCC Society - Non-judgmental solutions for addiction and FASD
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CDC - CDC Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Application
This application has been designed by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as a way for users to access the latest information related to alcohol and pregnancy and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs)!
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RESEARCH
Medical Xpress - Examining adaptive abilities in children with prenatal alcohol exposure and/or ADHD
Prenatal exposure to alcohol often results in disruption to the brain's cognitive and behavioral domains, which include executive function (EF) and adaptive functioning.
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Journal of Perinatology - Prenatal alcohol exposure, blood alcohol concentrations and alcohol elimination rates for the mother, fetus and newborn
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a common cause of intellectual impairment and birth defects. More recently, prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has been found to be a risk factor for fetal mortality, stillbirth and infant and child mortality.
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Biological Psychiatry - Male Germline Transmits Fetal Alcohol Adverse Effect on Hypothalamic Proopiomelanocortin Gene Across Generations
Neurons containing proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides, known to control stress axis, metabolic, and immune functions, have a lower function in patients with a family history of alcoholism, raising the possibility that alcohol effects on the POMC system may transmit through generations.
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Alcoholism - Persistent Dose-Dependent Changes in Brain Structure in Young Adults with Low-to-Moderate Alcohol Exposure In Utero
Many children with heavy exposure to alcohol in utero display characteristic alterations in brain size and structure. However, the long-term effects of low-to-moderate alcohol exposure on these outcomes are unknown.
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SAMHSA - Substance Use during Pregnancy Varies by Race and Ethnicity
When pregnant women use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, they incur an increased risk for experiencing health problems themselves and poor birth outcomes for their infants. It is important for doctors, nurses, and midwives to discuss the risks of substance use with all pregnant women.
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Alcohol - Postnatal day 7 ethanol treatment causes persistent reductions in adult mouse brain volume and cortical neurons with sex specific effects on neurogene
Ethanol treatment on postnatal day seven (P7) causes robust brain cell death and is a model of late gestational alcohol exposure (Ikonomidou et al., 2000).
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Maternal and Child Health Journal - Prevalence and Correlates of Drinking in Early Pregnancy Among Women who Stopped Drinking on Pregnancy Recognition
Women of child bearing age that regularly drink alcohol are at risk for drinking in early pregnancy. Evidence indicates a majority of women stop alcohol consumption on pregnancy recognition.
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COMING UP
Vorankündigung der 14. FASD Fachtagung 2012
Jedes Jahr werden in Deutschland immer noch 4000 bis 10 000 Menschen mit fetalen Alkoholspektrumsstörungen (FASD) geboren. Die vermeidbare Ursache für diese geistigen und körperlichen Fehlentwicklungen ist Akloholkonsum während der Schwangerschaft. Im Verlauf dieser Fachtagung werden wir Rückschau halten auf 40 Jahre Forschung und Prävention und auf die neuesten Entwicklungen in Forschung und Therapie ..
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Second European Conference on FASD
The European FASD Alliance is pleased to announce the Second European Conference on FASD – Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: clinical and biochemical diagnosis, screening and follow-up, which will take place in Barcelona, October 21 to 24, 2012.
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IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Relevant (Germany) - Wie FASD-Kinder ihren Platz in der Gesellschaft finden können
„Es gibt Schüler, die zunächst aufgrund ihres guten verbalen Ausdrucksvermögens einen durchaus intelligenten Eindruck machen, im Unterricht extrem angepasst sind und zuhause den Druck entladen wie ein Dampfkochtopf, dem der Deckel wegfliegt, oder aber in der Klasse total ausflippen, weil die Reizüberflutung zu groß ist“, beschreibt Gisela Michalowski vom FASD Deutschland e.V.
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Welt Online (Germany) - Der kleine Rausch und die fatalen Folgen fürs Kind
Vielen ist die Gefahr nicht bewusst: Wird während der Schwangerschaft Alkohol konsumiert, drohen dem Nachwuchs schwere Behinderungen. Jedes Jahr sind Tausende Kinder betroffen.
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