Fetal Alcohol Syndrome:- Countries With Highest Rate

A study from the Center for Addiction and Mental Health has found that 119,000 children are born with fetal alcohol syndrome, or FAS, each year worldwide. According to UPI, fetal alcohol syndrome is a preventable birth defect caused by heavy alcohol use during pregnancy. Symptoms of the syndrome include developmental disabilities, distinct facial features, low birth weight and stature among other disorders. Researchers compared the proportion of women who drink alcohol during pregnancy with the incidence of FAS globally. Results showed nearly 10 percent of women drink alcohol during pregnancy worldwide and the prevalence varies based on regions of the world. Certain countries had nearly 45 percent of women report drinking alcohol during pregnancy. The study showed that Russia, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Belarus and Ireland had the highest rate of alcohol use during pregnancy. Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean and South East Asia had the lowest rates of alcohol use during pregnancy and FAS. The researchers concluded it is best to completely abstain from consuming alcohol during pregnancy.