Mencap and NOFAS-UK warn pregnant women: "Please don't drink. It’s not worth the risk to your child".

Thursday 15 November 2012

Mencap and NOFAS-UK respond to new study into the impact of alcohol during pregnancy by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at Oxford University

Susan Fleisher, Executive Director of the National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome UK, in partnership with learning disability charity Mencap:

“This important study published today by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at Oxford University, provides yet more evidence that even very limited drinking by women during pregnancy can lead to major consequences for an unborn child.

There are many different and unpredictable factors that influence the impact of alcohol on a baby during pregnancy, and Mencap and NOFAS-UK would warn pregnant women or those trying to conceive: "Please don't drink. It’s not worth the risk to your child".

The study by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at Oxford University can be found at http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0049407

If you are pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant, and want to know more about pregnancy and alcohol, you can call the NOFAS-UK helpline on 020 8458 5951 (Option 2) www.nofas-uk.org

ENDS

For further information, please contact Pasca Lane, Senior PR Officer at Mencap on pasca.lane@mencap.org.ukor 020 7696 6017.

About NOFAS-UK

The National Organisation for Foetal* Alcohol Syndrome UK (NOFAS-UK) is dedicated to supporting people affected by foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), and their families and communities. It promotes education for professionals and public awareness about the risks of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

About Mencap

There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK. Mencap works to support people with a learning disability and their families and carers by fighting to change laws and improve services and access to education, employment and leisure facilities. Mencap supports thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.

www.mencap.org.uk

What is a learning disability?

A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities – for example household tasks, socialising or managing money – which affects someone for their whole life.

People with a learning disability tend to take longer to learn and may need support to develop new skills, understand complex information and interact with other people.

The level of support someone needs depends on individual factors, including the severity of their learning disability.