Fetal alcohol syndrome: 27% of women continue drinking during pregnancy, study finds

“Zero alcohol during pregnancy”, a rule that is not always followed. A new OpinionWay study commissioned by Saf France (the association fighting fetal alcohol syndrome and disorders caused by fetal alcohol) and transmitted by our colleagues at Parisianindicates that 27% of women in France continue to drink alcohol during pregnancy, even if they know they are pregnant.

In detail, 5% of them even admit to consuming alcohol more than once a month and 4% admit to drinking more than once a week. Geographic disparities are also notable: in Île-de-France, 38% say they continue to drink during pregnancy, compared to 7%, for example, in Réunion.

“Every year 15,000 children are born with disorders caused by fetal alcohol,” recalls pediatrician Denis Lamblin, president of Saf France, who speaks of “the main cause of mental disability of non-genetic origin.”

Public health France remember the “irreversible effects” that alcohol consumption during pregnancy causes on the baby. Learning disorder, behavioral adaptation, facial anomaly, growth retardation, disabilities or organ malformations… Exposure to alcohol has dramatic consequences, whatever the threshold or frequency of consumption.

“Today we do not know how much alcohol is toxic to the fetus. Therefore, it is recommended not to drink alcohol at all during pregnancy,” reads a recent brochure from the public health organization, which considers it necessary to “continue.” communicate with a broad audience” (around pregnant women, health professionals, etc.) about this topic.

Risk perception increases in France

However, in recent years awareness has increased about the risk of consuming alcohol during pregnancy. A study published on Tuesday by Public Health France highlighted that 90% of respondents were aware of the “zero alcohol during pregnancy” rule, up from 80% about fifteen years ago.

Furthermore, in a previous study by Saf France, 54% of the French population admitted in 2023 to having heard of fetal alcohol syndrome, up from 49% in 2020.

September 9 will also be World Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day. The Saf France association already launched its seventh edition of Safthon on August 9, a campaign aimed at raising awareness among the general public about this “avoidable global scourge that disables people for life.”