INTERNATIONAL FOETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER (FASD) DAY

ALCOHOL exposure during pregnancy is the leading cause of preventable intellectual disability in the world. It can lead to serious and lifelong disabilities, collectively referred to as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

Knowing the difficulties faced by individuals with FASD and their caregivers, it is abundantly clear that we must all work together to prevent FASD births and to support those with FASD.

What makes this a matter of utmost urgency is that South Africa has by far the highest FASD rate in the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates the global FASD prevalence rate to be approximately 15 per 1 000 live births (1.5%). Research conducted by the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR), in five of the nine provinces in South Africa, has revealed a prevalence rate of 282/1 000 live births in some communities in the Northern Cape. The Western Cape has a prevalence rate of 250/1 000 live births (25%) – as per the FASER-SA report.

FASD can only be caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy - and if we can prevent alcohol exposure in the nine months of pregnancy, we can prevent FASD. The damage that can be prevented includes organ damage, such as brain damage and life-long learning and behavioural challenges. Even small amounts of alcohol have the potential to cause serious harm. It cannot be said with any certainty that there is an amount of alcohol that is risk-free. Even if a baby is born without FASD, we cannot be sure that there was no damage done to critical brain functions. This is why the FARR message is that alcohol is not safe for the baby at any time during pregnancy.

To spread this message and to prevent FASD, FARR has completed 14 FASD prevalence studies - in the Free State, Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape – since its establishment in 1997. At present, FARR has 11 project sites from where comprehensive FASD research, awareness, prevention and training programmes are offered. The main objectives of these interventions are to increase the knowledge about the harmful effects of alcohol during gestation among communities and service providers (such as health professionals, social workers and educators); and to provide them with the necessary skills to address the multitude of problems caused by alcohol abuse in their communities.

In the late 90s, a group of biological, adoptive and foster parents in Canada and New Zealand got together to create awareness and share information regarding the support of children with FASD across the globe.

Due to the lack of information regarding FASD, an online parental support group was formed, and this eventually led to International FASD day. The first International FASD day was held on September 9, 1999, and was also commemorated in South Africa.

Why September 9?

The symbolism of “nine” is very important, as a woman is normally pregnant for nine months. Therefore, the number nine is significant (the ninth day of the ninth month at 9am).

What happens on September 9?

Members of the public interested in raising awareness regarding FASD, are requested to share the prevention message with small groups of friends, colleagues or other community members by:

Meeting on September 9 at 9am; Handing out FASD knots, if available (order packets of nine knots from FARR with flags containing the FASD prevention message, as well as an info sheet);

Share a short FASD prevention message (see the standard message below);

At 9:08am – Observe one minute of silence to think about individuals affected by FASD and their family or caregivers, as well as one’s responsibility towards the support of a pregnant friend or family member. Also reflect on how you can go about sharing this message with friends and family.

At 9:09am – Break the silence by ringing a bell (or bells), for example church, school or hand bells; thereby calling people to take action in creating awareness about FASD, especially regarding the importance of alcohol-free pregnancies;

Encourage participants to wear the FASD knot for the day and to share the message with at least nine other people, such as colleagues, friends and family.

(If it is not possible to meet at 9am, meet at any other time of the day and follow the procedure above).

FASD prevention message

FASD and Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) are the most well-known forms of these disorders, and are the most common cause of permanent intellectual disability in the world.

FASD is caused when a foetus is exposed to alcohol. The alcohol reaches the foetus through the bloodstream of the mother and can cause damage to any of the foetal organs. The brain is the most vulnerable organ. For this reason, all children with FASD have some form of permanent brain damage, presenting as developmental delay, learning and behavioural problems. This is a lifelong condition and cannot be cured by medication.

FASD is prevalent in all cultural, religious and socio-economic groups. There are still many myths around FASD. Some people still believe, incorrectly, that a woman must be an alcoholic to have a child with FASD. Research has shown that even light to medium alcohol exposure has the potential to cause harm.

Therefore, the prevention message is: No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. FASD causes permanent damage, but can be prevented by alcohol-free pregnancies.