Pages

Showing posts with label Alcohol and pregnancy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alcohol and pregnancy. Show all posts

Sunday, March 30, 2014

FASD News - 12/2014

NEWS and ARTICLES
Health RC - How to prevent birth defects – helpful knowledge sources for you to have a healthy baby
Birth defects occur to babies during their development in the uterus. Birth defects usually happen during the first 3 months of a pregnancy. The birth defects can cause changes in the baby’s body functions, or appears or both. Birth defects vary from moderate levels to severe ones. Many babies suffering from birth defects can’t survive. A birth defect can be found soon during gestation, at birth and after birth.
Anchorage Daily News (USA) - Under fire, Kelly says FASD prevention group remains 'hesitant' to embrace free birth control
Under fire for his remarks on birth control in this Daily News Q&A, Sen. Pete Kelly told colleagues today that his FASD prevention think tank might one day embrace contraception as a prevention tool but is instead focused on free pregnancy tests for now.
Stuff.co.nz (New Zealand) - Thinking of drinking while pregnant?
New Zealand health groups say Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is reaching pandemic proportions, with high numbers of people living with the disorder undiagnosed.
CAMH - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): An under-recognized issue, which may be on the rise globally
A special issue of the open-access International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is intended to increase awareness of the negative effects of alcohol use in pregnancy and to improve prevention, treatment and care for those living with FASD.
IJADR - An international campaign to raise awareness of the risks of drinking in pregnancy
The EUFASD Alliance, in collaboration with partners in health education from the Local Health Authority of Treviso, Italy, and a creative partner, Fabrica, propose to develop a campaign which can be adapted to countries and cultures around the world.
ABC.au (Australia) - Support for pregnant mothers who drink is lacking
The Northern Territory is considering legislation to make drinking during pregnancy an offence in a bid to combat foetal alcohol spectrum disorders. But, as Cathy Pryor writes, experts say education and support are the keys to tackling the issue.
Real Clear Policy - The Disputed Case Law on 'Fetal Harm'
Rennie Gibbs's daughter, Samiya, was a month premature when she simultaneously entered the world and left it, never taking a breath. To experts who later examined the medical record, the stillborn infant's most likely cause of death was also the most obvious: the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck.

MATERIALS and VIDEOS
FASD Informed Practice for Community Based Programs
http://www.cnc.bc.ca/programs-courses/FASD_Advanced_Diploma_Online/Resources.htm
Anchorage Daily News - Q&A: Senator proposes free pregnancy tests in 'war' on FASD
Senate Finance co-chair Pete Kelly, who says he is declaring war on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in Alaska, this week described his plan of attack.
PreventionInstitute - FASD Prevention, Diagnosis and Support - The Honourable June Draude, Minister of Social Services
A Message from the Government of Saskatchewan: FASD Prevention, Diagnosis and Support - The Honourable June Draude, Minister of Social Services.
PreventionInstitute - Time to Get Serious About FASD Prevention -- Dr. Sterling Clarren
It seems so simple. If a woman does not drink while pregnant, her baby will not have a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Dr. Sterling Clarren talks about the challenges of protecting babies from this lifelong disability.
Inter Tribal Health Authority - ITHA - Parenting with FASD
Home Visiting Strategies that work with First Nations families. Presented by the Inter Tribal Health Authority (ITHA) Maternal Child Health (MCH) Program.
PreventionInstitute - Meconium Testing to Determine Alcohol Exposure -- Dr. Gideon Koren
Meconium is a baby's first bowel movement after birth. It can be tested to see if the baby was exposed to alcohol before he was born. Dr. Gideon Koren explains meconium testing, how it is used, and some of the ethical issues with this test.

UPCOMING
Third European Conference on FASD
Building on the success of the first European conference on FASD (Kerkrade, Netherlands, 2010) and the second European conference on FASD (Barcelona, Spain, 2012), we are pleased to announce the third European conference on FASD, to be held in Rome.
University of Regina - FASD at the Frontline: Dialogue and Strategies for New Outcomes – April 23
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrell aterm for a wide range of issues that may result from prenatal exposure to alcohol. FASD presents a particular challenge in the province, an urgent challenge, and it impacts citizens and agencies alike. The goal of this FREE one-day workshop is to help meet that challenge.
The 6th International Conference on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
This advanced level conference continues to bring together experts from multiple disciplines to share international research. From the pure science, to prevention, diagnosis and intervention across the lifespan, the conference will address the implications of this research and promote scientific/community collaboration.

RESEARCH
The International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research - Second Special Issue: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Alcoholism - Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder on Adaptive Functioning
As found previously, both prenatal alcohol exposure and ADHD increase adaptive behavior deficits in all domains. However, these 2 factors interact to cause the greatest impairment in children with both prenatal alcohol exposure and ADHD for communication abilities. These results further demonstrate the deleterious effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and broaden our understanding of how ADHD exacerbates behavioral outcomes in this population.
Open Journal of Pediatrics - Effectiveness of a Novel Low Cost Intervention to Reduce Prenatal Alcohol Exposure in the Congo
This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a low cost in-office intervention to reduce prenatal alcohol exposure in the Congo.

IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Bambini.Guidone.it (Italy) - Disturbo dello Spettro Fetale Alcolico: sottovalutati gli effetti dell’alcol in gravidanza
I rischi dell’assunzione di alcol durante la gravidanza vengono generalmente sottovalutati dalla maggior parte delle donne.
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Alcohol News - 10/2014

 The Independent - Drinking alcohol early in pregnancy, even in small amounts, increases chances of harming your baby, study finds
Women who drink less than the officially recommended intake of alcohol during the first weeks of pregnancy may still be at higher risk of having smaller babies or of giving birth prematurely compared to women who do not drink alcohol at all, a study has found.
Examiner.com - Liquor labels found to understate alcohol content
Nearly 30 percent of alcoholic beverages were found to have inaccurate labels, putting consumers at risk, according to a March 10 survey compiled by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. While most beverage alcohol containers complied with U.S. label regulations, on many the booze contained more alcohol than stated and above regulatory tolerances.
The Canberra Times (Australia) - New study reveals alcohol, not drugs, major factor in one-punch assaults
Research suggesting the majority of fatal one-punch assaults are linked with alcohol and not illicit drugs will be presented at a forensic science seminar in Canberra on Tuesday.
BBC News (Turkey) - Turkey: 'Anti-alcohol' web clampdown mulled
Turkish authorities are mulling heavy fines for people who promote alcohol and drinking on social media, it's reported.
TheParliament.com (EU) - EU level action on alcohol 'vital' for reducing harm
The European commission must renew its alcohol strategy if it is to tackle the huge health and societal impacts associated with drinking, argues Glenis Willmott.
TheParliament.com (EU) - EU must play 'support role' for national alcohol strategies
The EU must 'support' member states in tailoring individual approaches to tackle alcohol consumption and related harm, writes Marina Yannakoudakis.
YLE News (Finland) - Study: More people buying alcohol, natural products and medicine online
Finns bought a total of 10.5 billion euros worth of services, goods and electronic content last year, although the number also includes value added tax and shipping costs. Online consumption has grown by a fifth in three years.
WalesOnline (Wales) - Jagerbomb fears as expert warns energy drinks and strong alcohol could be a deadly cocktail
Campaigners are warning of the potentially deadly dangers of downing strong alcohol mixed with high-energy drinks.
Eleven Myanmar (Myanmar) - Parliament rejects 200% tax increase on tobacco and alcohol
The Union Parliament on Monday (March 10) rejected a private member’s bill that proposed a 200 percent tax increase on tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.
Armenpress.am (Armenia) - Time restriction to put on advertisement of alcohol beverages by electronic media
The program proposes to ban advertisement of cigarette, as well as strong alcohol beverages from 06:00 to 22:00 (alcohol content 20 and more volume unit) by electronic means of mass communication.
NL Times (Netherlands) – Alcohol Poisoning up 350% in NL
5300 people ended up in the emergency room last year, with alcohol poisoning. In 2012, the number of drinkers who got alcohol poisoning, or ‘coma-drinkers’ stayed the same, it seems from figures out of consumer organization VeiligheidNL (SafetyNL). In that year, around 5300 people were in hospital for alcohol poisoning-related reasons. This is three times as many compared to 2003, when the numbers were around 1500.
Jakarta Post (India) - Surabaya nears strong alcohol ban on minimart shelves
In a bid to increase restrictions on the distribution of alcoholic beverages, the Surabaya municipal administration is set to impose a ban that will prohibit the sale of beverages containing over 0.5 percent alcohol at supermarkets and minimarts.
Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - Teachers deal with students' drug and alcohol abuse, report says
The binge drinking and drug taking culture among high school students is having a detrimental impact on schools, a survey of principals found, with teachers spending significant amounts of classroom time dealing with the fallout of weekend parties.
Helsinki Times (Finland) - Alcohol consumption declines amid economic uncertainty
Alcohol consumption in Finland has declined hand-in-hand with the erosion of the purchasing power of Finns. On Wednesday, the Finnish Hospitality Association (MaRa) revealed that revenue from the alcohol tax in 2013 was 93 million euros lower than anticipated by the Government in its budget draft.
Wall Street Journal (Czech Republic) - Booze Outlawed for Czech Legislators While Session in Progress
The speaker of the lower house of Czech parliament banned the sale of alcohol at restaurants and cafes on the premises of the country’s legislature during plenary meetings, ending a long tradition of allowing politicians to enjoy cheap beer, wine or liquor during working hours.
InSerbia News (Serbia) - Serbian Teenagers Drink More Than Teenagers In Europe
Young in Serbia experience first drunkenness when they are 15, while 40% got intoxicated once or more until they were 16 years old. About 90% tried alcohol before turning 18.
New Zealand Herald (New Zealand) - Coroner lashes out at NZ's dangerous drinking culture
A man who died after drinking up to 20 shots of spirits, 10 bourbon and cokes and a couple of beers in one evening, has prompted a coroner to lash out at the country's dangerous drinking culture.
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

Sunday, March 2, 2014

FASD News - 8/2014

NEWS and ARTICLES
The Lancet - The international charter on prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
The first international conference on prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders was held in Edmonton, AB, Canada, on Sept 23—25, 2013. The conference resulted in the production, endorsement, and adoption of the following international charter on the prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder by more than 700 people from 35 countries worldwide, including senior government officials, scholars and policymakers, clinicians and other front-line service providers, parents, families, and indigenous people. It is presented to all concerned in the international community as a call for urgent action to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
The Independent (UK) - Drinking alcohol while pregnant could become a crime after landmark test case
A landmark test case due to be heard by the Court of Appeal could criminalise excessive drinking during pregnancy. It will be argued that a six-year-old girl is the victim of a crime because she suffered brain damage when she was exposed to alcohol in the womb - a risk that her mother was aware of, Sky News has reported.
Mirror - One in four miscarriages could be PREVENTED, according to new research
Being obese, lifting heavy objects and boozing during pregnancy all raise the risk of an expectant mum losing her unborn child.
MedicalXpress - New research reinforces danger of drinking alcohol while pregnant
Women who drink alcohol at moderate or heavy levels in the early stages of their pregnancy might damage the growth and function of their placenta – the organ responsible for supplying everything that a developing infant needs until birth - research at The University of Manchester shows.
Irish Health - Alcohol in pregnancy 'damages placenta'
Women who drink moderate to heavy amounts of alcohol during the early stages of pregnancy may damage their placenta, a new study has found.
Colorado (USA) - Pregnant Arapaphoe County Citizens Must Avoid Alcohol
With 595,546 residents, Arapaphoe County has the third highest population in Colorado state (as of 2012). The Tri-County Health Department (data from the 2011 Arapahoe County Health Profile) found that in September 2011, 19.5 percent of Arapahoe residents (aged 18 years and older) had indulged in binge drinking. A significant percentage of them were women.
Mancunian Matters - Even just TWO alcoholic drinks in early pregnancy can stunt baby's growth, says Manchester study
Two or three drinks while pregnant could damage the growth of a baby’s internal organs and impact their psychological development, according to a Manchester study.
Anchorage Daily News - Our View: Break silence about FASD, make awareness universal
Deb Evensen of Homer has worked in education about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) for 30 years. She's still working for a wider awareness of those cruel afflictions, which are 100 percent preventable -- but when not prevented, last for life.
Anchorage Daily News - A diagnosis can change the life of a child with FASD
Most children and especially most adults with a fetal alcohol syndrome disorder will never be diagnosed.
Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - Lives and crimes: Kids who suffer foetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Before Jack ever had a drink, alcohol permanently changed his brain. The 26-year-old's mother drank while pregnant and today Jack suffers from foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). He is impatient, impulsive, with a poor memory and a short attention span.
Food World News - Fathers Drinking Before Pregnancy May Cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
We all know that women who drink alcohol while pregnant can cause significant problems for their unborn children. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) can cause issues such as retarded intellect, stunted growth and nervous system abnormalities. Now, though, researchers have found that it's not just mothers who should watch what they drink. It turns out that dads may also have more accountability.

RESEARCH
BMC - Alcohol consumption during pregnancy and birth outcomes: the Kyushu Okinawa Maternal and Child Health Study
This is the first study in Japan to show that maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy of 1.0 g or more per day was significantly positively associated with the risk of PTB, but not LBW or SGA.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health - A Prospective Cohort Study of Alcohol Exposure in Early and Late Pregnancy within an Urban Population in Ireland
Most studies of alcohol consumption in pregnancy have looked at one time point only, often relying on recall. The aim of this longitudinal study was to determine whether alcohol consumption changes in early and late pregnancy and whether this affects perinatal outcomes.
PLOSone - Detrimental Effects of Ethanol and Its Metabolite Acetaldehyde, on First Trimester Human Placental Cell Turnover and Function
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) describes developmental issues from high maternal alcohol intake, which commonly results in fetal growth restriction and long term morbidity. We aimed to investigate the effect of alcohol and acetaldehyde, on the first trimester placenta, the period essential for normal fetal organogenesis.
Alcoholism - Administration of Memantine During Withdrawal Mitigates Overactivity and Spatial Learning Impairments Associated with Neonatal Alcohol Exposure in Rats
These data have important implications for the treatment of EtOH's neurotoxic effects and provide further support that ethanol withdrawal significantly contributes to FASD.
Alcoholism - Sensory-motor deficits in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder assessed using a robotic virtual reality platform
The current study has shown that robotic technology is a sensitive and powerful tool that provides increased specificity regarding the type of motor problems exhibited by children with FASD.

VIDEOS and MATERIALS
Mofasorg - Love. Hope. Joy. - 2014 Public Awareness Campaign
The Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS) is spreading love, hope and joy to moms everywhere in Minnesota by using these three positive, uplifting and empowering words in a new advertising campaign to talk about the serious issue of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
YouManitoba - Café Scientifique: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder & a Need for a 21st Century Human Rights Response
Worldwide, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is the only disability of its type that is considered 100 per cent preventable.
Susan Rich - Introduction to the Better Safe Than Sorry project
As a board certified psychiatrist, I have recently seen a 10th person with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) awaiting a possible death sentence and work with a forensic psychologist who has evaluated approximately 60 of these individuals over the past several years.
World News - Drinking while pregnant will soon be a crime
Women who put their unborn babies at risk by drinking to excess during pregnancy should be prosecuted, say activists.
Ackerman61 - Women of Substance
A short film exploring women and addiction. Exec. Producer: South Shore District Health Authority, Producer: Nancy Ross.

IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Neue Nordhäuser Zeitung (Germany) - BACHELORAND IM KMG REHA-ZENTRUM
Das KMG Reha-Zentrum Südzhayn freut sich über einen weiteren erfolgreichen Bacheloranden, der sich mit der Fatalen Alkoholspektrumsstörung, der vorgeburtlich entstandenen Schädigung eines Kindes durch von der schwangeren Mutter aufgenommenen Alkohol, wissenschaftlich auseinander gesetzt hat.
Iltalehti (Finland) - Kuntien säästöt voivat vaarantaa päihdeäitien hoitoa
Kun Miina (nimi muutettu) oli teini-ikäinen, hänen äitinsä ryyppäsi rajusti ja odotti lasta. Miina asui isällään ja seurasi tilannetta järkyttyneenä sivusta. Pikkusisko syntyi lopulta alkoholin vammauttamana FAS-lapsena. Kehitysvamman näki jo vauvana kasvoista, harittavista silmistä ja pienistä höröistä korvista.
West - Welfare Society Territory (Italy) - Bere in gravidanza potrebbe diventare un reato
È perseguibile penalmente una donna incinta, che consuma tanto alcool da causare danni al nascituro? Un dibattito che sta coinvolgendo media e opinione pubblica britannici, in seguito alla controversia legale di cui è protagonista una giovane madre. Prima condannata e poi assolta per aver bevuto mentre era incinta della figlia. Nata con gravi danni cerebrali.
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , ,

Sunday, January 5, 2014

FASD News 1/2014

NordAN - Danish study raises further questions regarding alcohol and pregnancy
Children of mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy ‘better behaved’, declares the Telegraph. Children whose mothers drank during pregnancy perform better, summarizes The Copenhagen Post.
news-medical - Binge drinking during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome
Recent data shows that more than 500,000 women in the U.S. report drinking during pregnancy, with about 20 percent of this population admitting to binge drinking. Even one episode of heavy drinking can lead to the collection of birth defects known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
BBC News (UK) - Pub pregnancy test plea to halt FASD
Mothers-to-be are bombarded with advice during pregnancy, but when it comes to alcohol the NHS message is clear: avoid it. Can putting pregnancy test kit machines in pubs go a step further in getting the message across?
Otago Daily Times (New Zealand) - FASD support offered
Dr Jenny Salmon, RCpN, BN, PhD, of Vauxhall, makes some points about the diagnosis and treatment in the South Island of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Bixby Bulletin (USA) - More counseling needed to reduce pre-pregnancy alcohol use
As the celebratory New Year’s Eve approaches when opportunities for alcohol use increase, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reminds women who are pregnant or could become pregnant that alcohol use during pregnancy is a leading cause of preventable birth defects and developmental disorders in the United States.
eMaxHealth - Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: Consequences of Imbibing During Pregnancy
Alcohol use in women of childbearing age is ubiquitous. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) reported that 7.6% of pregnant women used alcohol and 1.4% admitted to binge drinking (at least 4 drinks at one time) in 2010.
www.reviewnepal.com (Nepal) - Health ministry to stop smoking, drinking during pregnancy
The Ministry of Health and Population is to implement a special program to check the trend of smoking and drinking alcohol by women during pregnancy.
Science Daily - Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol Disrupts Brain Circuitry: No Safe Level of Drinking During Pregnancy, Neuroscientist Says
Prenatal exposure to alcohol severely disrupts major features of brain development that potentially lead to increased anxiety and poor motor function, conditions typical in humans with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), according to neuroscientists at the University of California, Riverside.
Science Daily - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Heart Defects May Be Caused by Altered Function, Not Structure
Recent data shows that more than 500,000 women in the U.S. report drinking during pregnancy, with about 20 percent of this population admitting to binge drinking.
Journal Sentinel - Fetal alcohol syndrome changes the way the heart works, study finds
New research suggests that fetal alcohol syndrome changes the way the heart functions before it actually changes the organ's structure.
MNT - How alcohol leads to birth defects - clues from embryo heart images
Scientists have found a way to image the very early development of the embryonic heart in research that may help them to explain how drinking alcohol in pregnancy can lead to heart defects at the baby's birth.

MATERIALS and VIDEOS
FASD Webinar- FASD: An In-depth Overview and National Dialogue with the Experts
For more information on this presentation, including copies of powerpoint presentations and other resources, go to the CAPHC Knowledge Exchange Network at Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
Beyond Screening - Understanding the Core Deficits and Diagnosis of FASD
This webinar is an extension of our webinar series on screening tools for FASD. We will be welcoming speakers from the CN-CYR and the NeuroDevNet communities to help bring some of the latest information on this important subject.
NeuroDevNet: FASD Research from the Lab to the Community
Many are familiar with NeuroDevNet, one of Canadas Research Centres of Excellence, and their research in genetics and structural alterations in the brain as a result of fetal alcohol exposure.

RESEARCH
The International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research - Screening in treatment programs for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders that could affect therapeutic progress
The Life History Screen may have utility as a self-report measure that can be used at the outset of treatment to identify clients with cognitive impairments and learning disabilities due to prenatal alcohol exposure.

IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Noticias de la Ciencia y la Tecnología - La exposición prenatal al alcohol altera la "circuitería" cerebral
La exposición prenatal al alcohol altera severamente algunos de los principales rasgos del desarrollo cerebral, lo cual puede conducir a un incremento de la ansiedad y a un empobrecimiento de la función motora, síntomas típicos en humanos con trastornos del espectro alcohólico fetal (o FASD por sus siglas en inglés), de acuerdo con las conclusiones a las que han llegado unos neurocientíficos de la Universidad de California en Riverside, Estados Unidos.
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)